Ascona c. 1919

Alexej von Jawlensky's "Ascona" presents us with a semi-abstract composition in the early 20th century, where the forms seem to hover between representation and pure color. Note the recurring vertical shapes capped with rounded forms; they evoke figures, perhaps a crowd, gathered around what could be a central, towering structure. This motif echoes across cultures and eras, from ancient totemic pillars to modern cityscapes. The group dynamic here is particularly striking. Consider how the concept of the "crowd" appears throughout history, sometimes as a unified entity, other times as a collection of individuals. In religious art, similar gatherings often signify community, faith, or pilgrimage. The emotional resonance of such arrangements is profound. We recognize the subconscious pull of belonging, of shared experience. This isn't merely a depiction of shapes; it's a condensed expression of our collective identity, surfacing and resurfacing through time.