Portrait of Erwin Dominilk Osen (Mime Van Osen) 1910

Egon Schiele sketched this drawing of the mime Erwin Dominik Osen around 1910. The figure's upward gaze suggests aspiration, a reaching towards higher ideals, a motif we see echoing through Renaissance depictions of saints and classical portrayals of heroes. Consider the 'Ecstasy of Saint Teresa' by Bernini, where the saint's eyes are similarly directed heavenward, embodying spiritual transcendence. Here, however, Osen's expression carries a distinct ambivalence, a tension between longing and perhaps, a sense of alienation. This emotional complexity reflects the psycho-social landscape of Schiele's time, marked by a growing awareness of the subconscious. This awareness has become a cultural symbol in the history of art, resurfacing, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.