A protégé of Gustav Klimt, Schiele was greatly influenced by his mentor’s paintings in that his own body of work reflects themes of unbridled sexuality. Klimt was ever-willing to share his knowledge and experience with other artists, and so he encouraged the young Schiele by buying his drawings and even arranging models for him to paint.

Schiele’s self-portraits include nude versions, and the technique he has used therein have classed them as belonging to the Expressionist movement.