Portrait of Leopold Czihaczek (Head of a Bearded Man I)

Egon Schiele painted the Portrait of Leopold Czihaczek (Head of a Bearded Man I) in 1907, an oil on cardboard study of his uncle's face. The work focuses on Czihaczek's bearded features, capturing the railway official who served as Schiele's guardian during his Vienna art studies.

This head study is one of several portraits Schiele made of his uncle between 1906 and 1909. The "I" in the title suggests at least one additional head study exists. Working on cardboard rather than canvas indicates this may have been a quick study, perhaps made to capture a particular expression or lighting condition. The Impressionist brushwork shows Schiele still absorbing influences before developing his distinctive style.

Czihaczek's brown beard dominates the composition. Within three years, Schiele would move toward the angular distortions and psychological intensity of Expressionism. This early portrait remains in a private collection.