Death And The Maiden, 1915 by Egon Schiele
It is not coincidental that as Schiele approached marriage in 1914-15, heterosexual couples began to appear as representations of concrete relationship rather than metaphors for artistic creation. Death and Maiden is readily interpreted as a farewell portrait of Egon with his lover Wally Neuzil. The pair cling, more in desperation born of habit than out of true love. The drapery "cocoon" which envelops the central figures offers scant protection from the barren surrounding environment.