Young Girl with Peonies 1909

"Young Girl with Peonies" is a 1909 painting by Alexej von Jawlensky, currently held at the Von der Heydt Museum in Wuppertal, Germany. The painting is a prime example of Jawlensky's early, Expressionist style. The artist uses bold, contrasting colors and simplified forms to depict a young woman holding a bouquet of peonies. The vivid palette, particularly the red and green, creates a sense of energy and vibrancy, typical of Expressionist art. The figure's face is rendered in a more stylized manner, emphasizing the emotional intensity of the subject. Jawlensky's focus on color and simplified form, along with the emotional subject matter, place the painting within the context of early 20th century German Expressionism.