Moving on to The Courtauld Gallery where a bold display entitled, Egon Schiele: The Radical Nude, awaited me. Schiele has been on my list of favorite artists for quite a few years now. I love his use of line and shape, exaggeration, brashness and slightly macabre expression. A spirited discussion with a dear friend after I had seen both shows reminded me that what I react to when I look at a painting that excites me, from any era, is emotion. It just makes you feel, so that you can't take your eyes away and keep coming back for more. You might not be able to explain how something makes you feel but you are moved. Deeply. Schiele and Rembrandt maybe worlds apart in centuries and style but they were both masters of expression and emotion.
Rembrandt, Self Portrait with Two Circles 1665-1669 (photo Rijksmuseum) |
Egon Schiele (photo The Courtauld Gallery) |
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