Artwork
Mountain Stream
Mountain Stream is a crayon drawing by Egon Schiele. It dates from 1917 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1917, “Mountain Stream” is a drawing by Austrian artist Egon Schiele executed with crayon on wove paper. The work presents a rugged alpine scene where a narrow watercourse cuts through a mass of uneven stones, punctuated by sparse vegetation. Its compact size and spontaneous handling reflect the artist’s habit of rapid, gestural studies.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on a solitary mountain stream set within a chaotic landscape of jagged rock formations. Minimal foliage—tiny trees and shrubs—emerges only faintly, emphasizing the dominance of the raw geological forms. The piece conveys a sense of untamed nature, aligning with Schiele’s broader interest in exposing the visceral undercurrents of the natural world.
Technique & Style
This approach typifies his early Expressionist phase, marked by exaggerated contours and a preference for conveying emotional intensity over precise detail.
Schiele employed a loose, uneven crayon application that yields a sketch‑like quality, with lines that appear hurried and unrefined. The marks vary from faint, almost translucent strokes to more assertive, scribbled gestures, creating a texture that suggests immediacy. This approach typifies his early Expressionist phase, marked by exaggerated contours and a preference for conveying emotional intensity over precise detail.
History & Provenance
The drawing originates from a period when Schiele was consolidating his personal visual language after studying under Gustav Klimt. Although specific ownership records are scarce, the work is documented among his 1917 drawings, a prolific year that saw him produce numerous studies in a similarly raw manner. It remains a representative example of his early exploratory practice.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Egon Leo Adolf Ludwig Schiele (German: ; 12 June 1890 – 31 October 1918) was an Austrian Expressionist painter.
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Hintersee, Germany
Untitled
Campagna di Roma (Roman Countryside) (recto)
Landscape
A hillside with ruined masonry
Landscape in the Taunus
Coastal Landscape
Shipwreck in Storm
A Rocky Hillside with Dead and Dying Trees
Mountainous View from Antrodoco
Study of a patch of ground with plants and rocks