Head Of A Woman, Femina 1922

Alexej von Jawlensky’s “Head of a Woman, Femina” is a painting conjured from pastel hues and bold, outlining strokes. I can imagine Jawlensky in the studio, carefully placing strokes of colour to define this face. The paint application is soft, yet deliberate. Look at the rosy cheek, a delicate daub of pigment that suggests warmth and vitality. The palette is restrained, with blues, pinks, and greens intermingling to create a harmonious whole. The dark lines are full of purpose, defining the woman’s features and lending her a sense of structure and depth. I wonder if he was listening to music while he was working, or if he was lost in thought. Jawlensky was part of the same art world as Kandinsky and the Blue Rider group, and they were all in conversation with each other. This piece is part of an ongoing dialogue, a testament to the enduring power of painting to capture the essence of human experience. It’s an ongoing conversation!