Woman with Greyhound (Edith Schiele) 1916

Egon Schiele made this delicate work, Woman with Greyhound, using graphite and watercolor on paper. Schiele's distinctive approach to the medium is evident in the expressive lines, the color washes, and the subtle tonal variations he achieved. The paper support itself becomes an active element, with areas left bare to contrast with the denser passages of color. The watercolor imbues the artwork with a sense of immediacy and intimacy, conveying the ephemeral quality of human emotion and the vitality of the natural world. The contrast between the fluid watercolor and the precision of the graphite lines adds depth and complexity to the composition. Schiele's application of watercolor, using diluted pigments to create transparent layers, allows light to penetrate and reflect off the paper's surface, enhancing the luminosity and vibrancy of the image. By understanding the artistic skill and material intelligence that informs this work, we gain a deeper appreciation for the expressive power of watercolor as a medium, and the important role of process in Schiele's artistic practice.