Edith Schiele

1912–1916

Success at exhibitions across Europe

In 1912–1916 Schiele took part widely and successfully in exhibitions: his work was shown in Vienna, Budapest, Munich, Prague, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Zurich, Hagen, Dresden, Berlin, Rome, Cologne, Brussels and Paris.

1915

Choosing Edith, and Wally leaves

In 1915 Schiele chose the more socially acceptable Edith, apparently expecting to continue his relationship with Wally; when he explained the situation, Wally left him at once and he never saw her again. In February 1915 he wrote to his friend Arthur Roessler that he intended to get married, advantageously, but not to Wally.

17 June 1915

Marries Edith Harms

Despite some opposition from the Harms family, Schiele and Edith were married on 17 June 1915, the anniversary of the wedding of Schiele’s parents.

28 – 31 October 1918

The last three days: a mirror and sketches of Edith

The very sick and weak Schiele was moved from the couple’s home to his in-laws’ house; for fear of contagion visitors spoke to him from afar by way of a mirror set up on the threshold between his room and the parlour; among his last visitors were his mother Marie and his sister Melanie. During the three days between Edith’s death and his own, Schiele drew a few sketches of her.

28 October 1918

Edith dies of the Spanish flu

In the autumn of 1918 the Spanish flu pandemic reached Vienna; on 28 October Edith, six months pregnant, died of the disease.

31 October 1918

Died