Head in blue 1912

"Head in Blue" (1912) by Alexej von Jawlensky is a striking example of Expressionist portraiture. The painting features a simplified, almost mask-like face, characterized by bold strokes and vivid colors. Jawlensky, a prominent figure in the Russian avant-garde, employed a palette of contrasting blues, yellows, reds, and blacks to create a heightened sense of emotion and intensity. The simplified features and fragmented forms emphasize the emotional state of the subject, conveying a sense of introspection or perhaps even melancholic resignation. This work demonstrates Jawlensky's focus on the expressive power of color and form, characteristic of his later artistic period, often referred to as "abstract heads."