Abstract Head 1930

Alexej von Jawlensky made this ‘Abstract Head’ with oil paint, and I imagine it came together through a whole bunch of intuitive decisions. It's got a subdued palette of grays, pinks, and ochres. But look at that thick, dark line that defines the side of the face – so decisive! What was he thinking as he laid down that stroke? I can almost feel the weight and rhythm of the brush as he built up this face. Did he feel a strong pull towards abstraction or a need to express something beyond surface appearances? I can see echoes of German Expressionism, maybe even a nod to some early modernist portraits. All of us painters, we’re in constant conversation, riffing off each other, sometimes agreeing, sometimes arguing, but always pushing the conversation forward. Ultimately, painting for me is about embracing ambiguity, and this piece really lets you bring your own interpretation to the table.