1910

In nearly all of Schiele 's drawings the artist worked directly from the model and from nature ; consequently the portraits, nudes , lovers, proletarian children, etc .,are drawn as observed directly by the artist. The Child in White Pinafore (22) appears to be sleeping and viewed from above. It is known that the artist would often mount a ladder and draw from his models from that viewpoint . The natural postures and positions which one assumes while reclining in bed appear disturbing and disconcerting when the artist omits any reference to that bed as he works

from a high vantage point . Also , a person resting in a chair or leaning against a piece of furniture looks quite credible when the chair or furniture is included in the artist's composition , but if these props are left out of the drawing , the result in- duces a sense of discomfort in the viewer.

This is not to imply that the awkward gestures and postures are due entirely to the lack of a background in the great majority of Schiele's drawings. But it is certainly a factor that should not be over- looked .