Seated Woman 1911

Alexej von Jawlensky made this painting of a seated woman sometime during his career, with bold colours and thick paint, it feels like he really went after it. I can imagine Jawlensky, brush in hand, circling the canvas, trying to capture not just what the woman looked like, but what it felt like to be her, seated, maybe a little world weary. The red of her dress is so strong, grounded by the black of her skirt, yet softened by those little yellow flowers, like a burst of hope. The green collar feels so wrong, but so right. I love the way Jawlensky’s painted the hands, kind of clasped, conveying a sense of restraint. It reminds me of Matisse, and how he used colour to create mood and emotion. Artists are always in conversation with each other, even across time. It’s like they’re all part of one big, messy, beautiful painting.