Art, Literature, Poetry, Politics and a little History
Nearly 125 years from the birth of Egon Schiele whose work I was recently perusing when I came across this evocative and soulful painting of a captured Russian Officer. The expression and demeanour clearly express his sense of resignation and the general apathy induced by the futility of war. In Vienna 1916 there were clearly many Russian prisoners and they appear to have been painted with the same compassion. The drawing of the girl also seems to convey this a similar human quality.
Not difficult to find in Vienna – it’s just after the parliament building and turn through the archway-simple and effective method for getting tickets and free WC if you ask at the desk. 
Brilliant wi-fi connection in the middle of the MQ and nice cappucino at the inside cafe. Have just been investigating service of EE in a T-mobile shop, the only place where I have to queue. 
Apparently although capitalism may be international, the service to people is not. Perhaps this explains the why mobile phone producers produce a isolated and insular service that the Tory Party and UKIP would be proud?
Nothing prepares you for the size and vivid colour of the Schiele paintings. He produced some 170 self-portraits. Thecomposition and vitality of the collection is quite amazing. It was the great flu epidemic that curtailed the life of this highly prolific painter at the age of just 28. Add to these the drawings currently on show downstairs, the Klimt and other Austrian painters, you will have no difficulty in looking around for a minimum of four hours.
