Galerie St. Etienne, New York
Private Collection
Sale: Sotheby's, New York, 11th May 1994, lot 46
Purchased at the above sale by the late owner

Vienna, Akademie der Bildenden Kunste (& travelling), Egon Schiele, com Schuler zum Meister: Zeichnungen und Aquarelle, 1906-1918, 1984-1986, no. 47, illustrated in the catalogue
Rome, Pinacoteca Capitolina, Campidoglio (& travelling), Egon Schiele, 1984-1987, no. 110, illustrated in the catalogue

Jane Kallir, Egon Schiele: The Complete Works, New York, 1990, no. D. 964, illustrated p. 457
Jane Kallir, Egon Schiele: The Complete Works, New York, 1998, no. D.964, illustrated p. 457

Executed on fibrous cream wove paper, not laid down. The sheet is hinged to the mount at two places along the verso of the upper edge. The sheet is gently undulating, notably along the upper edge. There are several handling creases throughout the composition, notably along the upper edge, running from the lower part of the right edge and towards the lower left corner. The sheet is lightly time-stained and there are a few faint fly spots in places. The medium is well-preserved overall however there are small surface abrasions in places, particularly to the black and blue pigments. This work is in overall good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This work is one of six watercolours of naked couples embracing executed during 1911 (Kallir, nos. 961-3, 971-2). Jane Kallir suggests that, while it is difficult to identify many of the female models used by Schiele at this date, '... in drawings of couples (Kallir, nos. 961-972)... it is likely that the corresponding male figure... is none other than the artist himself' (Kallir p. 43). Kallir points out the gradual changes in Schiele's drawing style at this date: 'Schiele's  1911 œuvre is distinguished by an unusual emphasis on the pictorial background which surrounds the principal figures. From the start of the year the figure (s) tend to fill the page, with pose and drapery often extended to the corners... ill-defined supporting structures — trapezoidal 'pillow's .. augment the figures' dominance of the sheet.. Perhaps in consort with his desire for more elaborate compositions, Schiele from late 1910 to mid-1911 occasionally employs a larger than normal sheet measuring approximately 22 by 14 inches....The bold lines of early 1911 gradually appear to fly apart, creating a disjointed effect that distinguishes them from those of 1910.... At the same time, the lines become softer and more delicate, the figures less jagged and boxy... harder leads contribute to the ethereal quality of Schiele's new lines' (J. Kallir, op. cit. p. 433).