Abstract Head; Tragic 1928

Alexej von Jawlensky made this small oil painting, Abstract Head; Tragic, at some point in his life. Look at how Jawlensky builds form with simple color blocks, like he's piecing together a puzzle, yet it's far from simple! The painting has this monumental feel, even though it is quite small. The surface is matte, and the colors, oh, they're not mixed so much as laid on top of each other. The paint is thin and chalky, like fresco, not exactly smooth, which gives it a raw, immediate presence. Notice the thick, dark line that defines the nose, cutting through the muted oranges and grays. It's bold, almost aggressive, and it's what brings the whole composition together. It's like the armature holding the whole thing up. It's a bit like what Marsden Hartley was doing with portraiture and abstraction. Both digging deep into form and emotion, creating these iconic faces that stare right back at you. Art, it’s just one long conversation, isn't it?