The haggard and overextended figures from the work of Egon Schiele (1890–1918) were among the most dramatic representations of Expressionist art at the turn of the century. And for that very reason, the drawings and paintings of the Viennese provocateur are among the most important and influential works of modernism. Artists such as Francis Bacon and Tracey Emin were influenced by Schiele's brutal directness and relentless portrayal of the human body — even a century later, his characters have lost none of their disturbing effect. The value of a real Schiele in the art market is correspondingly high, with drawings and sketches changing hands at auctions for millions of euros, not to mention the large-format works and paintings. Significantly more affordable, at only 150 euros, and thanks to high-definition photographs, almost as impressive as the originals, you can experience all 221 paintings and 146 drawings in the 608-page book Egon Schiele. The Complete paintings from 1909–1918, written by Tobias G. Natter and published by Taschen

Photos: Taschen