Stilleben mit Weinflasche 1904

Alexej von Jawlensky made this still life with thick brushstrokes and a palette of juicy reds, greens, and blues. I imagine him hunched over the canvas, building up the image bit by bit, letting the colors mix and mingle, creating a kind of edible harmony. You can almost feel him trying to capture the essence of the scene: the weighty bottle, the glint of light on the glassware, the rough texture of the bread. The surface has been built up, with such physicality that the paint seems to push forward into our space. And that red, wow! It's not just a color, but a feeling, an invitation to indulge. The way Jawlensky handles the brush, the way he smudges and daubs, it's like he's channeling the spirit of Cezanne, but with his own wild twist. It reminds me that painting is a conversation, a way of seeing the world, and then sharing it with others.