Child lying at the breast

Details

Strobl 579.

Our drawing is one of these preliminary studies for the 1907 painting “Medicine”. In the transfer sketch drawn in 1899/1900 and in the 1st and 2nd state of the painting, the infant and part of the woman’s right arm can still be recognised; in the final version, this figure is missing.

Provenance:

Probably Richard Lanyi (?), according to Strobl annotation “Lany, Nachlaß Schiele” on old backing sheet (no longer present);

Wilhelm König Collection (1880-1955), Vienna, on the reverse with the collector’s stamp (Lugt 2653b);

Dorotheum, Vienna 21-24 September 1971, lot 313;

Private property, Austria.

Description

– Preliminary study for the famous faculty painting “Medicine”, which was originally intended for the University of Vienna

– Klimt drew over 160 studies for this painting, which was destroyed in 1945

– Sketch made with quick, confident strokes, focussing on the infant

In 1894, Gustav Klimt and Franz Matsch were commissioned to create the ceiling painting for the Great Ceremonial Hall at the University of Vienna, which was to allegorically depict the four faculties of theology, philosophy, jurisprudence and medicine. While the historian Matsch was entrusted with the subject of theology, Klimt took on the other three – and caused a scandal with them in 1907, as his modern and symbolist designs were not well received by the Viennese public. During the Nazi era, the three faculty paintings were taken to Immendorf Castle in Lower Austria, where they were completely destroyed in a fire set by SS troops. Today, only old photographs of the paintings as well as sketches and drafts remain.