Abstract Head, Blue-Red by Alexej von Jawlensky
Description: "Abstract Head, Blue-Red" by Alexej von Jawlensky is part of his "Abstract Heads" series, which he developed in the 1920s and 1930s. This painting reflects Jawlensky's quest to distill the human face into its most essential and spiritual elements. In "Abstract Head, Blue-Red," the artist uses a combination of deep blue and vivid red hues to create a dynamic yet meditative composition. The face is reduced to simple geometric shapes—lines, curves, and ovals—set against a flat, colored background, with bold contours defining the features. The interplay between the blue and red tones is significant, creating a sense of balance between tranquility (blue) and intensity (red), capturing the emotional and spiritual duality that Jawlensky sought to express.
Jawlensky's approach in this series was influenced by Russian icon painting, where colors and forms carry symbolic meanings, and his deep interest in spirituality and the search for inner truth. Each "Abstract Head" in the series is not just a portrait but a meditation on the essence of human existence and the divine. Through "Abstract Head, Blue-Red," Jawlensky invites the viewer into a contemplative space, encouraging a reflection on the deeper, non-material aspects of life.
Details:
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Location and Date Created: Germany, 1920s–1930s.
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Medium: Oil on board or canvas.
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Full Artwork Name: Abstract Head, Blue-Red by Alexej von Jawlensky.
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Artwork Style: Abstract Expressionism, with influences from Russian iconography and spiritual abstraction.
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Subject/Topic: An abstract representation of a human head, exploring spiritual themes through a limited color palette and geometric forms.
