Description
JAWLENSKY
Book Summary
This catalog accompanies the monographic exhibition dedicated to Alexej von Jawlensky, one of the most daring artists in the transition to abstraction in 20th-century art. Through more than three hundred illustrated pages, the reader will journey through the painter's evolution from his Russian origins to his maturity in Germany and Switzerland, in dialogue with figures such as Kandinsky and Münter. The work delves into his serial output, from the Variations to the enigmatic Meditations, revealing his search for spirituality through the human face.
What is it about?
The book examines Jawlensky's complete trajectory, structured around his key creative periods. It begins with his training in Russia and his subsequent integration into the Munich art circles, where, alongside Wassily Kandinsky, Gabrielle Münter, and Marianne Werefkin, he became a pioneer of abstraction. The publication analyzes his serial and obsessive work, such as the Variations, which establish a link with musical language as a model for non-figurative expression.
The catalog pays special attention to the Abstract Heads and Mystical Heads, works that place Jawlensky in the tradition of modern artists exploring alternative forms of spirituality. Finally, it focuses on his Meditations, a radical series where a single face with closed eyes, reminiscent of the Russian icon, invites introspection. The work contextualizes Jawlensky's influence on the second half of the 20th century, especially in the use of the serial image.
Main themes
- The evolution of figurative art toward abstraction in the 20th century
- Serial repetition as a creative method and its link to music
- The search for spirituality and transcendence through painting
- The human face as a central motif for contemplation and introspection
- Artistic relationships among the pioneers of abstraction in Germany
Who is it recommended for?
This catalog is aimed at enthusiasts and scholars of modern art, especially those interested in the transition to abstraction and German Expressionist painting. It will also be of great value to collectors, art historians, and exhibition visitors who desire an in-depth analysis of Jawlensky's work. Likewise, it may interest visual artists seeking to understand creative processes based on repetition and thematic variation.
What this book provides
- A complete chronological journey through Jawlensky's trajectory, from his beginnings to his final meditative series
- Detailed analysis of his serial work method and his influence on later art
- Contextualization of his work within the circle of artists who led the way toward abstraction
- Reflection on the representation of the human face as a vehicle for spirituality in modernity
- Reproductions of the exhibited works that allow for an appreciation of the painter's technical and thematic evolution
Technical specifications
- Author: AFFENTRANGER-KIRCHRATH, ANGELIKA; GOLDBERG, ITZHAK; JANSEN
- Publisher: FUNDACION MAPFRE
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: PAINTING AND PAINTINGS, EXHIBITION CATALOGS AND SPECIFIC COLLECTIONS
- Collection: EXHIBITION CATALOG
- Binding: Hardcover
- Publication date: February 2021
- Number of pages: 312
- Weight: 1056 g
Editorial assessment
This catalog is presented as a rigorous tool for understanding the figure of Jawlensky, an essential artist in the gestation of abstract art. The publication stands out for its focus on the serial creative process and the spiritual dimension of his work, aspects that connect directly with contemporary artistic debates. For the public interested in modern painting, it offers a complete and well-documented vision of a crucial period, with the editorial quality that characterizes Fundación MAPFRE publications.