Winterstimmung 1932

Alexej von Jawlensky made this painting titled, Winterstimmung in 1932, using oil paint and perhaps a few other mixed media like wax crayon. There is an almost meditative quality to this piece, reflected in the muted, blended tones, and simple composition. When I look at the area around the left cheek I can see the movement of his hand as he applies the paint. It’s as if I’m watching him mix colours on the canvas. There are so many layers of paint on the surface, a semi-transparent glaze of warm tones is sitting on top of a cool gray under layer that feels thick and chalky. This is something I like to do, but I generally try to make the process less obvious than Jawlensky. This reminds me of Hilma af Klimt’s later paintings, like The Dove, but in a more muted, somber key. It invites introspection and contemplation, revealing itself slowly, like a memory fading into the present.