Infantin, Spanierin 1913

Alexej von Jawlensky created this intriguing portrait, Infantin, Spanierin, with oil on board. The painting is dominated by a striking palette of blues, reds, and fleshy pinks set against a pale-green backdrop. Jawlensky’s composition simplifies the figure into bold, geometric shapes. Notice how the face is rendered in planes of ochre and brown, framed by stylized waves of blue hair. The eyes, large and almond-shaped, draw the viewer into an almost unsettling gaze. The use of color is particularly striking. Each hue seems to vibrate against the others, creating an almost spiritual intensity. Jawlensky's interest in abstraction and spirituality is evident in the formal treatment of the figure. The distortion of form and the expressive use of color serve not to replicate reality, but to evoke a deeper, emotional truth. It's a powerful example of how abstraction can be used to access something profound beyond the surface.