“The Self-Portrait, from Schiele to Beckmann is an unprecedented exhibition that examines works primarily from Austria and Germany made between 1900 and 1945. This groundbreaking show is unique in its examination and focus on works of this period. Approximately 70 self-portraits by more than 30 artists—both well-known figures and others who deserve greater recognition—will be united in the presentation, which is comprised of loans from public and private collections worldwide.
Admired for their revelatory nature, self-portraits yield insight into both the appearance and the essence of the artist, in some cases providing almost confessional portrayals, sharing profound insights regarding their self-image as a maker, and their perceived relationship to society. On a more universal level, they can also expose deeper truths about the human condition. During the first four decades of the twentieth century, the self-portrait, a genre that has transcended the ages, reached new heights in Germany and Austria.” — Neue Galerie
Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876–1907). Self-Portrait with Two Flowers in Her Raised Left Hand, 1907. Oil on canvas, 55.2 x 24.8 cm (21 3/4 x 9 3/4 in.). Jointly owned by The Museum of Modern Art, New York, Gift of Debra and Leon Black, and The Neue Galerie New York, Gift of Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder
Egon Schiele (1890–1918). Self-Portrait in Brown Coat, 1910. Watercolor, gouache, and black crayon on paper, 45.6 x 32.2 cm (18 x 12 5/8 in.). Private Collection
Käthe Kollwitz (1867–1945). Frontal Self-Portrait, ca. 1910. Charcoal on gray-blue Ingres paper, 28.5 x 26 cm (11 1/4 x 10 1/4 in.). Käthe Kollwitz Museum Cologne. Photo: Käthe Kollwitz Museum Cologne © 2019 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn
Lyonel Feininger (1871–1956). Self-Portrait, 1915. Oil on canvas, 100.3 x 80 cm (39 1/2 x 31 1/2 in.). The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Museum purchase funded by the Caroline Wiess Law Accessions Endowment Fund © 2019 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn
Max Beckmann (1884–1950). Self-Portrait in front of Red Curtain, 1923. Oil on canvas, 122.9 x 59.2 cm (48 3/8 x 23 1/4 in.). Private Collection © 2019 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn
Max Beckmann (1884–1950). Self-Portrait with a Cigarette, 1923. Oil on canvas, 60.2 x 40.3 cm (23 3/4 x 15 7/8 in.). The Museum of Modern Art, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. F. H. Hirschland. Photo: © The Museum of Modern Art/Licensed by SCALA / Art Resource, NY © 2019 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn
Lovis Corinth (1858–1925). Last Self-Portrait, 1925. Oil on canvas, 80.5 x 60.5 cm (31 3/4 x 23 7/8 in.). Kunsthaus Zürich. Photo: © Kunsthaus Zürich
Otto Dix (1891–1969). Self-Portrait with Easel, 1926. Tempera on panel, 80.5 x 55.5 cm (31 3/4 x 21 7/8 in.). Leopold-Hoesch-Museum, Düren. Photo: Peter Hinschläger © 2019 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn
Georg Scholz (1890-1945). Self-Portrait in front of an Advertising Column, 1926. Oil on canvas, 60 x 77.8 cm (23 5/8 x 30 5/8 in.). Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe. Photo: bpk Bildagentur / Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe / Art Resource, NY © 2019 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Felix Nussbaum (1904–1944). Self-Portrait with Jewish Identity Card, ca. 1943. Oil on canvas, 56 x 49 cm (22 x 19 1/4 in.). Felix-Nussbaum-Haus Osnabrück, loan from the Niedersächsische Sparkassenstiftung. Photo: Museumsquartier Osnabrück, Felix-Nussbaum-Haus Osnabrück © 2019 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
The Self-Portrait, from Schiele to Beckmann is organized by Neue Galerie New York. The guest curator is Prof. Dr. Tobias G. Natter, an internationally acknowledged expert on art from Vienna around 1900.
Images courtesy Neue Galerie.