Sorrow
Alexei JAWLENSKY
(Russian, 1864-1941)
Sorrow
Date1928
Mediumoil wax medium on cardboard
Dimensionsoverall: 16 1/8 x 12 1/2 in. (41 x 31.8 cm)
frame: 26 x 22 1/8 x 1 1/4 in. (66 x 56.2 x 3.2 cm)
ClassificationPAINTINGS
Credit LineSBMA, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Baird
Object number1963.11
Collection
- 20th century European
On View
On viewLabel TextThe dominant motif throughout Jawlensky’s work is the human face. Schmerz (Sorrow) is part of his Constructivist Head series, an exploration of theme and variation that absorbed the artist from 1921-35. In the many luminous paintings of this cycle, Jawlensky made only subtle adjustments to the arrangement of geometric lines and planes that comprise the face but concentrated on color as the single most important variable within this repetitive format. A spiritual person inspired by Byzantine art, Jawlensky abstracts the face to the point where it functions as a symbol and, by doing so, creates a modern icon.