I’m in a bit of a Germanic mood at the moment.  This has been encouraged by my recent visit to the latest version of Germany – there have been many.  Whilst there I bought a book on Gustav Klimt which was fascinating – not least of which because it was in German and I couldn’t understand a word.  I know this sounds crazy but the printing quality was excellent which encouraged me to do some research to try and understand what the book was discussing.  A fulfilling exercise in itself.

I guess this Germanic interest, especially in Austria, was also stirred by a recent series of TV programmes by the excellent art historian Dr James Fox (Bright Lights, Brilliant Minds: A Tale of Three Cities).  The first of these programmes was about Vienna in 1911 ( might have been 1912 but it matters not), here he discussed the confluence of art and culture that came together in Vienna at that year.  One of the artists he discussed, other than Adolf Hitler, was Egon Schiele – one of the most incredible artists of the twentieth century.

Now I have already posted a copy of one of Egon Schiele’s paintings – this is another.  Now there is no doubt that much of Schiele’s work has a very sexual element – as did some of Klimt’s and so it is difficult to find work to copy that is on the artistic end of the spectrum (what a hugely subjective selection process and in the end totally fruitless – however I can’t help my inner prude).  Disregarding the sexual content of his work he was one of the most original draughtsman you will ever find.  The marks he made were so purposeful yet so precise it is a joy to behold.  There is a show at the Courtauld that intend to visit before Christmas – I can’t wait

So whilst I was copying Austrian greats I made this little sketch of one of Klimt’s paintings of his niece – unfortunately I don’t have the deft touch of either Klimt or  Schiele but I enjoyed making the drawing. Fortunately, I have no real desire to study the works of Adolf Hitler, although, as Dr Fox’s points out, the history of the 20th century may well have been a whole lot different if he had been accepted as an artist.  We will never know.

I’m on the phone booth across the hall…