Forest with Sunlit Clearing in the Background 1907

Egon Schiele made this painting of a forest, probably in 1907, with oil on canvas. It’s mostly these muted browns, which is maybe what catches your eye first. It's a color that’s kind of understated, like the canvas itself is breathing a sigh. The vertical tree trunks form a rhythmic pattern, and the way Schiele handles the paint is just gorgeous. It’s not too thick, not too thin, but just right, you know? I love the way he suggests the light filtering through the trees with these soft, green hues in the background. It feels like a secret, hidden clearing, a place to escape. The way he’s built the image is so subtle, it reminds me a bit of Klimt, who was also working in Vienna at this time. But Schiele has this rawness, a kind of vulnerability that’s all his own. It's like he’s inviting you to wander into the woods with him, to get lost and find something new.