Portrait of Arthur Roessler (Bildnis Arthur Roessler)

A space without a background.

A man with a sharp profile gazes into the infinite space beyond the frame.

His unusually distorted hands are intertwined beneath his chin.

Bony fingertips with emphasized joints are positioned as a dramatic focal point.

The subject is art critic Arthur Roessler.

He was the greatest contributor to bringing Egon Schiele's art to the world.

The year 1914.

It was a pivotal year in art history, as World War I erupted and the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia.

Schiele, suffering from a heart condition, was deemed unfit for military service.

However, the devastation of the war and the scarcity of daily necessities were severe.

Roessler extended a helping hand to the young painter, who was seeking financial independence.

He explained the profitability of the German print market.

He then provided metal plates himself and strongly encouraged Schiele to create prints.

“I want you to buy tools and plates immediately.”

On February 19 of the same year.

Schiele pleaded this in a letter addressed to Roessler.

To reciprocate the enthusiastic support, he embarked on his first series of prints.

There were close negotiations between the two.

At one point, a unique bartering took place.

A large spear and several arrows.

In exchange for antique weapons owned by Roessler, Schiele transferred his oil landscape painting, Ruins.