Pale Woman with Red Hair - Alexej von Jawlensky

A striking Expressionist portrait by Alexej von Jawlensky, featuring bold, non-naturalistic colours and a simplified, mask-like facial structure.

Alexej von Jawlensky, a central figure in the Expressionist movement, produced this portrait during a period of intense stylistic development. The work displays his characteristic approach to the human face, where features are reduced to essential shapes and bold, non-naturalistic colour choices. The subject is rendered with a pale, greenish complexion, contrasting sharply against the deep blue background and the fiery red hair that frames the face. Jawlensky moved away from traditional representation to focus on the emotional resonance of colour and form. His application of paint is direct, with visible brushwork that creates a sense of immediate energy. The facial structure is simplified, almost mask-like, reflecting his interest in both folk art and the spiritual potential of painting. The eyes are wide and fixed, drawing the viewer into a direct confrontation with the subject. This piece belongs to a series of portraits where Jawlensky explored the relationship between internal states and external appearance. By stripping away extraneous detail, he forces a focus on the psychological presence of the sitter. The use of high-contrast pigments, such as the yellow and red patches on the cheeks, serves to animate the face, giving it a sense of life despite the flattened perspective. This print captures the texture of the original oil on cardboard, preserving the raw quality of the artist's technique. It is a study in the power of colour to define character and mood, stripped of the constraints of academic realism.