Red Path, St. Prex 1915

"Red Path, St. Prex" is a 1915 oil on canvas by Russian-German artist Alexej von Jawlensky. The painting is an example of Jawlensky's "abstract" style, which he developed around 1912, influenced by Expressionism. He sought to express the essence of his subjects through color, line, and form. This work features bold swaths of color, particularly red, blue, green, and purple, which are laid down in thick strokes to capture the feeling of light and shadow. The dynamic composition is dominated by a strong diagonal line that suggests the path in the title. Jawlensky's works were often inspired by nature, and this painting likely reflects a landscape scene in the Swiss town of St. Prex, where he spent time during his travels in the 1910s.