Who was Leopold Czihaczek?

Leopold Czihaczek was Schiele's uncle and guardian after Egon's father died in 1904-05. He was a railway official.

Why did Schiele paint multiple portraits of Czihaczek?

Czihaczek housed Schiele in Vienna during his art studies. Their relationship was initially warm, and Schiele painted him several times between 1906-1909.

Where can I see this portrait?

This Portrait of Leopold Czihaczek is in a private collection. The Leopold Museum in Vienna holds other Schiele-Czihaczek photographs and works.

Where Is Portrait of Leopold Czihaczek? Museum Location

Egon Schiele completed this Portrait of Leopold Czihaczek in 1907, depicting his uncle and guardian with Impressionist-influenced brushwork. The oil on canvas shows Czihaczek (1842-1929), who became Schiele's joint guardian after the artist's father died on New Year's Eve 1904-05.

Like Schiele's father, Czihaczek was a high-ranking railway official who wanted his ward to study engineering. Despite disapproving of Egon's artistic ambitions, he took the young man in when he came to Vienna in 1906 to study at the Art Academy. Their relationship began warmly. Schiele portrayed his uncle several times during these early years, including Leopold Czihaczek at the Piano.

By 1910, Czihaczek had resigned as guardian, citing Schiele's behavior "flouting any and all notions of morality." This early portrait shows Schiele before he developed the angular, expressionistic style that would make him famous. The painting remains in a private collection.