The record sale of a drawing by Egon Schiele at the Dorotheum confirms the strong market interest in early 20th-century graphic art.
How the record sale at the Dorotheum took place
On November 18, 2025, Vienna’s Dorotheum auctioned the 1917 drawing Crouching Nude, Back view by Egon Schiele for 3.23 million euros. The work, presented as lot number 3 in the evening modern art auction, was contested by several bidders.
The competition in the room and over the phone was intense. However, after a series of bids, the work was finally awarded to a phone bidder, who prevailed over the competitors present at the auction.
Why this drawing by Egon Schiele is so important
The sheet, created in 1917, dates back to the penultimate year of the artist’s life, born in Tulln in 1890 and died in Vienna in 1918. It thus falls into a particularly mature and intense phase of his research.
During this period, Schiele progressively moved away from the representation of inner conflict, typical of his earlier works, to focus on the body as a formal phenomenon. Moreover, the figure is observed with a new perspective, attentive to proportions, posture, and the quality of the line.
The combination of these elements gives the drawing a museum-quality. That said, the auction result also seals the critical recognition of this extreme phase of the artist’s production, now considered central to his evolution.
What is the collection history of “Crouching Nude, Back view”?
Crouching Nude, Back view also holds a prominent historical significance. The work was subject to restitution and was previously part of the collection of August and Serena Lederer, among the most significant collectors of modern art in the Central European area.
The provenance from the Lederer collection documents the sheet’s journey within the history of European private collections. Additionally, it adds another level of interest for scholars and collectors, who are increasingly attentive to the stories of dispersion and recovery of early 20th-century private heritage.
What role do modern drawings play in the current market?
The result achieved at the Dorotheum fits into a broader context of increasing appreciation for 20th-century drawings. Compared to paintings, these works on paper often remain less visible but offer direct testimony of the artists’ creative processes and stylistic evolution.
In Schiele’s case, the drawing highlights his radical investigation of the human figure, supported by an essential yet incisive use of line. Furthermore, collectors’ attention increasingly focuses on the combination of formal quality, market rarity, and documented collection history.
How does the Dorotheum fit into the international scene
This sale confirms the central role of the Dorotheum as an international platform for modern and contemporary art in the European area. The Viennese auction house stands out for its consistent offering of high-quality works on paper and its care in documenting provenance.
Moreover, the sale of Crouching Nude, Rear View (1917, gouache and black pastel on paper, 29.5 x 45 cm) reiterates how the market continues to reward formal research combined with a solid collection history, elements that, overall, define the value of a masterpiece on paper today.
As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
She is also a marketing teacher at Digital Coach in Milan and she published a book about NFTs for the Italian publishing house Mondadori, while she is also helping artists and company to entering in the sector. As advisor, Amelia is also involved in metaverse-related project such as The Nemesis and OVER.
