Frauenkopf mit Blumen im Haar c. 1913

Alexej von Jawlensky created this painting, titled "Frauenkopf mit Blumen im Haar," using oil on board, a traditional choice that allows for rich colors and textures. Notice how the materiality of oil paint influences the image. The colors are vibrant, applied in thick, visible strokes. The brushwork isn't hidden; it’s part of the artwork's expressive quality. Look at the way Jawlensky built up the surface, layer upon layer. The way the oil sits gives the painting a sense of depth and dimension. Jawlensky trained in academic realism but became fascinated by abstraction. He wasn’t just copying reality; he was using the act of painting, the very stuff of it, to convey an inner state. The directness of his method – the lack of polish – this is a key part of what gives the painting its emotional power. It invites us to see the value in the act of making itself, not just the finished product.