After Egon Schiele (1890-1918)
Zeichnungen Egon Schiele / 12 Blätter in Originalgrösse
the complete set of 12 collotype reproductions, 1917, with title-page, justification and introduction, on smooth wove paper, the title-page signed and dated with the monogram and dedicated in black ink, the justification also signed and dated with the monogram and inscribed 'PROBE', a proof copy aside from the edition of four hundred, the introduction inscribed and signed by Leopold Siegler, each plate with printed numbering in Roman numerals verso, published by Buchhandlung Richard Lányi, Vienna, printed by Max Jaffé under the supervision of the artist, loose (as issued) within paper-covered boards with title, artist's name and reproduction printed in black on front (portfolio); together with a series of seven letters from the publisher Richard Lányi to the artist concerning the production of the portfolio, 12 February - 4 August 1917, enclosing an autograph draft design for the portfolio, 13½ pages. Provenance: Edith Harms, the artist's wife (1893-1918), Vienna; a gift from the artist (according to the dedication); Sotheby's, 26 May 1983, lot 194 (£5,500).

This proof copy of Zeichnungen Egon Schiele is inscribed by the young artist to his wife Edith Schiele (née Harms) and signed with his monogram.

'Der Maler ist noch nicht der Künstler – / Es ist der Geist der Kunst geschaffen hat. / zum 30. Mai 1917, / meiner lieben Frau'
(The painter is not quite the artist. It is the Spirit that created Art. to my dear wife on 30 may 1917).

It is particularly poignant as just over a year later, Edith, who was six months pregnant, would succumb to the Spanish flu, followed three days later by Schiele himself.

The copy is accompanied by eight letters by the publisher Richard Lányi (1884-1942) to Schiele. In them Lányi urges Schiele to design the title page himself and encloses a diagram suggesting the layout, recommending that two identical portfolios should be brought out, one for Schiele's drawings and a second for paintings, and instructs him on numbering the title pages, 'bitte No. 1-400 zu numerieren, den Rest bitte statt der Nummer mit "Probedruck" zu bezeichnen'. The latter portfolio was not realised by Lányi, probably due to Schiele's untimely death.

The introduction page is also signed and inscribed by Leopold Liegler (1882-1949), identifying himself as the author of the text, 'Diese Einleitung wurde von mir / auf Wunsch des Verlegers verfasst’, Vienna, 17 November 1942.
510 x 340 mm. (overall)

Please note that the lot includes seven letters and a draft plan for the portfolio by Richard Lányi, not eight letters as previously stated.