Oberstdorf 1912

Alexej von Jawlensky painted Oberstdorf with oil on canvas, capturing an essence rather than a likeness of the landscape. The composition vibrates with bold, non-naturalistic colors and simplified forms which may evoke a sense of intensity and emotional expression. The structure relies on a contrast between the dark, towering blues and blacks of the mountains against the vibrant reds, yellows, and greens of the foreground. These color choices aren't mimetic; instead, Jawlensky uses them to convey subjective experience. The thick brushstrokes and impasto application further emphasize the materiality of the paint, creating a textured surface that departs from traditional landscape painting. By destabilizing conventional representation, Jawlensky opens up a new space for abstract expression, challenging viewers to look beyond the surface to engage with the painting’s underlying emotional and spiritual content. This tension between form and color serves not merely as an aesthetic choice, but as a means to explore the deeper, less tangible aspects of human perception and feeling.