A 40-minute train ride outside of Vienna brings you to the birthplace of Egon Schiele, Tulln. Right at the bridge across the river Danube not far from downtown Tulln is an old jail that now serves as a museum. A new sculpture showing the artist twisting his hands much like he drew them in his pictures now draws you into the museum. The museum is an emulation of the jail in Neulengbach where Schiele was incarcerated for lewd behavior, and the cells now house more than 100 of his original drawings. Two floors of an odd assortment of facsimile and originals take you through the life story of the artist. A death mask of the artist and the painting of the broken mill are perhaps the most impressive of the exhibits. The drawings Schiele did while in jail have a fascinating line quality and are interesting to see as originals. A much too small bronze head of Egon Schiele that is placed on a pedestal in the stairwell looks a bit provincial if not outright silly.

A Wolfgang Hutter exhibit provided contemporary variety to the Museum during my visit. I was told it is necessary to provide a floor of contemporary art to attract visitors -- Schiele alone doesn't do it.

It is not a big Museum but it is definitely worth a visit. Combine it with whatever shows are in town. There seems to be a rock concert just about every weekend or some other event, and a stroll or a bike ride along the Danube disperses an afternoon with ease.

Greetings from Vienna,
Herb Ranharter
http://www.delarte.com