Variation 1916

Alexej von Jawlensky painted this “Variation” with oil on board; though undated, it likely comes from the early 20th century. It’s part of a series, so we know Jawlensky was interested in creating subtle changes to a limited vocabulary of shapes and colours. Jawlensky was active during a period of rapid social change, and his work reflects a shifting understanding of art's role in society. He was associated with the New Artists' Association of Munich which sought to challenge the conservative artistic establishment in Germany. The flattened forms and bold colours point toward the influence of folk art and religious iconography. But this piece isn’t about nature, or even directly about the spiritual. The colours and shapes create an arrangement intended to provoke reflection on the emotional and psychological effects of colour and form itself. When we study artworks like this, we can consult manifestos and exhibition catalogues of the time, plus biographies of the artist and his circle. By understanding the debates and discussions that informed his work, we can better appreciate how “Variation” speaks to the social and institutional context of its time.