Alexei Jawlensky

Alexej von Jawlensky was a Russian-born painter associated with German Expressionism and a central figure in avant-garde European art. Born in Torzhok, Russia, Jawlensky initially pursued a military career before studying painting in Saint Petersburg, where he became connected to the circle of realist painter Ilya Repin. In 1894 he moved to Munich with fellow artist Marianne von Werefkin, who played a major role in supporting and encouraging his artistic development.

Jawlensky became closely associated with artists including Wassily Kandinsky and participated in the influential groups Der Blaue Reiter and the New Munich Artists’ Association. His work evolved from richly colored portraits and landscapes into increasingly spiritual and abstract compositions. He is especially admired for his iconic series Mystical Heads and Saviour’s Faces, which combined expressive color with forms inspired by Russian Orthodox icons. After relocating to Switzerland during World War I and later settling in Wiesbaden, Germany, Jawlensky continued painting despite severe arthritis that eventually ended his career. Today, he is regarded as one of the major figures of European modernism and Expressionist portraiture.