Schieles seized at MOMA

Art in America, Feb, 1998 by Raphael Rubenstein

Amassed by Rudolf Leopold over several decades, the Leopold Collection was purchased in 1994 by the Austrian government for $175 million. The collection totals some 5,400 works, of which 250 are by Schiele. Construction of a museum in Vienna to house it begins in April. The 130,000-square-foot building is expected to be completed in three to four years.

In addition to the $175-million purchase price, the 72-year-old Leopold was given a salaried position as director-for-life of the museum.