Author’s Biography and My Encounter with Schiele

Author’s biography

Born in Gunma Prefecture in 1976.

I first encountered Schiele’s work 32 years ago, during my adolescence. My dream of becoming a musician had not come true, and I was in a dark place, at the lowest point of my life. My first encounter was with Seated Woman with Bent Knee (1917). At the time, I didn’t know the artist or the title of the painting, but the woman’s intense gaze – seemingly questioning the viewer – also appeared to reveal the model’s inner self and spirit. I was deeply drawn to her. I knew nothing about Schiele then, but I had a strong sense that he was an artist often associated with scandal and nudes, and I felt it was completely wrong for him to be recognized only as a painter of tragedy. Even though I knew little about him, I instinctively believed that Schiele must have been a sensitive, extraordinary, and kind person. I wanted to understand him better.

That was the moment my research on Schiele began.

• In March 1999, I earned a Bachelor’s degree from Meisei University, Faculty of Japanese Culture Studies, Department of Life and Arts. Bachelor’s thesis: Considerations on Egon Schiele’s Self-Portrait with Chinese Lantern Plant.
• In recognition of my work, I received the Meisei University Graduation Thesis Excellence Award.
• From October 2002 to July 2003, I was recognized for my research on Egon Schiele and enrolled at the Institute of Art History at the University of Vienna as an Austrian government scholarship student.
• From February to December 2005, I was again awarded an Austrian government scholarship and enrolled at the Institute of Art History at the University of Vienna for a second time.
• In March 2011, I earned a Master’s degree in Art Education from the Gunma University Graduate School of Education. Master’s thesis: Egon Schiele’s Mausoleum Plan.
• From April 2011 to March 2013, I continued my research on Egon Schiele and was enrolled as a research student at the Graduate School of Education, Gunma University, Department of Art Education.
• For five years, from April 2019 to March 2024, I worked as a part-time instructor in the correspondence course of the Department of Education, Faculty of Education, Meisei University.
• I am currently working on publishing a book about Egon Schiele.

About this site

The essence of Schiele’s art is a prayer for eternal life, transcending life and death through artistic expression. To live is a wonderful thing – to express the very proof that you are alive in this moment. This is the message I truly wish to convey through this website. I also want to cherish each moment and live the life I truly wish to live.

It has been more than 30 years since I first encountered Schiele’s work. From now on, I will introduce Schiele at my own pace, in my own way. I hope you will enjoy reading along, perhaps with a cup of tea in hand. Thank you.

Yoshiko Kaneta