Street Cart

Egon Schiele, 1914

MEDIUMWatercolor, gouache, and graphite on paper
DIMENSIONS12 1/4 x 15 3/8 in. (31.4 x 47.9 cm)
LOCATIONThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
COLLECTIONModern and Contemporary Art
CREDIT LINEBequest of Scofield Thayer, 1982

This Egon Schiele piece captures a street scene with his signature Expressionist intensity, using sharp lines and a stark palette to evoke a powerful emotional response from an everyday subject.

Get the full experience in Art Whisper
Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store
ABOUT THIS WORK

Egon Schiele's "Street Cart" from 1914 offers a glimpse into the artist's distinctive Expressionist style, characterized by its intense emotionality and raw, often unsettling, depiction of subjects. Schiele, an Austrian painter, was a pivotal figure in early Expressionism, known for his twisted body shapes and expressive lines that convey deep psychological states. While many of his famous works are self-portraits or nudes, this piece demonstrates his ability to infuse everyday scenes with his unique artistic vision. The medium of watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paper allowed Schiele to work with a fluidity and immediacy that enhanced the artwork's emotional impact. His mentor, Gustav Klimt, influenced his early career, but Schiele quickly developed a highly personal style that set him apart, making his works instantly recognizable for their intensity and often stark honesty. This artwork, created just a few years before his untimely death in 1918, showcases the mature phase of his brief yet prolific career.

ART MOVEMENTS
Der Blaue ReiterDie BruckeExpressionismJugendstilVienna Secession
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

1

The angular, almost skeletal lines of the cart and figures.

2

The muted, earthy color palette with splashes of brighter tones.

3

The expressive, almost anxious faces of the figures.

2 more details waiting — unlock in Art Whisper
Audio Deep Dive

This Egon Schiele piece captures a street scene with his signature Expressionist intensity, using sharp lines and a stark palette to evoke a powerful emotional…

Hear the full story in the app
THE ARTIST
Egon Schiele 1890–1918 · Cisleithania

Egon Schiele, an Austrian Expressionist, captured raw human emotion and twisted forms, often in stark self-portraits.

Read Egon's full story in Art Whisper
See something wrong?
Open the App