Alexej von Jawlensky

Alexej von Jawlensky (1864–1941) was a Russian-born expressionist painter who became a pivotal figure in the early 20th-century European avant-garde. Known for his boldly colored, emotionally intense portraits and abstract heads, he was a founding member of the Blue Four group alongside Kandinsky, Klee, and Feininger. His work evolved from vibrant Fauvist-influenced portraits to deeply meditative series of simplified faces, reflecting his profound interest in spirituality and the inner life.