Alexej von Jawlensky, Head in Black and Green (1913)

Alexej von Jawlensky – Head in Black and Green (1913)

Bring the intense colour and expressive power of early twentieth-century modernism into your home with Head in Black and Green, painted by Alexej von Jawlensky in 1913. One of the artist’s striking Expressionist heads, this compelling portrait combines simplified facial forms, emphatic dark outlines and an extraordinary palette dominated by green, black and contrasting flashes of colour.

Available as a selection of Alexej von Jawlensky prints and canvas panels, this distinctive artwork is an excellent choice for anyone drawn to German Expressionist art, modernist portraiture and colourful abstract wall art. The bold composition has an unmistakably contemporary quality, making it equally effective in minimalist, Scandinavian, eclectic and modern interiors.

Head in Black and Green – A Powerful Expressionist Portrait

In Head in Black and Green, Jawlensky reduces the human face to strong contours, broad areas of colour and intensely emphasised eyes. Rather than attempting conventional realism, he uses colour and line to communicate mood and inner character. The dark eyes confront the viewer directly, while the green facial tones and heavy black contours give the portrait an almost mask-like presence.

The original painting dates from 1913, towards the culmination of Jawlensky’s important pre-war period of portrait heads. His increasingly simplified faces would eventually develop into the highly stylised and meditative heads for which he became particularly famous.

A Head in Black and Green print makes a dramatic focal point without relying on elaborate detail. Its combination of saturated colour, strong geometry and expressive brushwork allows the image to work especially well as statement wall art in a living room, study, hallway, bedroom or contemporary workspace.

Alexej von Jawlensky Prints for Modern Interiors

Collectors of Alexej von Jawlensky art prints are often attracted to the extraordinary way his paintings bridge traditional portraiture and modern abstraction. Head in Black and Green is particularly suited to interiors where a strong piece of art is needed to introduce colour and visual character.

Its compressed composition and powerful face create immediate impact when displayed alone, while the work can also form part of a larger gallery wall featuring Expressionist prints, abstract portraits, Fauvist art and European modernist paintings.

Choose a Fine Art Print

A Jawlensky fine art print is an ideal option for displaying the intricate relationships between the painting’s contrasting colours and strong linear forms. The portrait format makes the artwork easy to incorporate above furniture, on narrow feature walls or as part of a coordinated collection of modern art prints.

Choose an Alexej von Jawlensky Canvas Panel

For a more substantial presentation, choose Head in Black and Green as a canvas panel. The textured appearance of canvas complements Jawlensky’s painterly technique and helps emphasise the expressive qualities of the original artwork. An Alexej von Jawlensky canvas print can make an especially effective centrepiece in contemporary and colour-focused interiors.

Painting Style and Artistic Influence

Head in Black and Green belongs to Jawlensky’s early Expressionist period, when the human face became one of his most important subjects. His portraits from this era are characterised by simplified forms, powerful outlines and vivid, deliberately non-naturalistic colour.

Jawlensky absorbed influences from French modernism, particularly the intense colour associated with Fauvism and Henri Matisse, while developing a deeply personal approach to portraiture. His work also shared the broader Expressionist interest in using colour to communicate emotional and spiritual experience rather than simply reproducing visible reality.

The resulting style is immediately recognisable: faces become arrangements of colour and line, their eyes enlarged or accentuated and their features simplified almost to symbols. This distinctive approach makes Alexej von Jawlensky portrait prints highly compatible with both classic modern art collections and contemporary interior design.

About Alexej von Jawlensky

Alexej von Jawlensky (1864–1941) was a Russian-born painter who became one of the important figures associated with German Expressionism. Originally trained for a military career, Jawlensky later pursued art and moved to Munich in 1896, where he became closely connected with the city’s increasingly experimental artistic community.

His friendships and collaborations brought him into contact with artists including Wassily Kandinsky, Marianne von Werefkin, Franz Marc and Gabriele Münter. Jawlensky participated in the progressive Munich art circles surrounding the Neue Künstlervereinigung München and was subsequently associated with artists of Der Blaue Reiter.

During the years immediately before the First World War, Jawlensky developed some of his most vibrant portraits and heads. Influenced by French painting but also by the visual power and spiritual associations of Russian icons, he gradually transformed the conventional portrait into something more symbolic and contemplative.

Later series such as his Mystical Heads, Saviour’s Faces and Meditations pushed this simplification even further. Today, Alexej von Jawlensky prints are admired for their brilliant colour, instantly recognisable faces and important place within the development of European Expressionism.

Why Choose Head in Black and Green Wall Art?

This striking 1913 Jawlensky print offers a combination of historical significance and remarkably modern visual appeal. The bold facial structure gives the composition presence from across a room, while closer viewing reveals subtle relationships between colour, contour and brushwork.

It is particularly well suited to anyone looking for:

• Alexej von Jawlensky prints and wall art
• German Expressionist art prints
• Blaue Reiter inspired wall art
• Colourful modernist portrait prints
• Expressionist portrait wall art
• Early twentieth-century modern art
• Bold green and black wall art
• Distinctive modern art for living rooms and bedrooms

Whether displayed as an individual statement piece or combined with works by other Expressionist and modernist artists, Head in Black and Green provides a memorable introduction to Jawlensky’s radical use of the human face as a vehicle for colour and emotion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who painted Head in Black and Green?

Head in Black and Green was painted by Russian-born Expressionist artist Alexej von Jawlensky in 1913.

What style of art is Head in Black and Green?

The painting is associated with Expressionism. Jawlensky uses bold outlines, simplified facial features and non-naturalistic colour to create emotional intensity rather than conventional realistic portraiture.

When was Head in Black and Green painted?

Jawlensky created Head in Black and Green in 1913, during an especially important period in the development of his expressive portrait style.

Where is the original Head in Black and Green painting?

The original 1913 work is held by the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg, Germany. It was painted in oil on paperboard and measures approximately 53.5 × 49.5 cm.

Was Alexej von Jawlensky part of the Blue Rider movement?

Jawlensky was closely associated with the artists surrounding Der Blaue Reiter, or The Blue Rider, in Munich and participated in its wider exhibition circle. His use of intense colour and interest in the spiritual possibilities of art closely aligned him with many of the movement’s concerns.

What makes Alexej von Jawlensky prints distinctive?

Alexej von Jawlensky prints are particularly recognisable for their strong black contours, brilliant colours, simplified forms and intense treatment of the human face. His portraits often move beyond individual likeness to explore emotion, symbolism and spirituality.

Where can I display a Head in Black and Green print?

The artwork works particularly well in living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, offices and studies. Its bold colours can provide contrast against neutral walls or complement interiors containing green, ochre, black and other earthy or saturated tones.

Is Head in Black and Green suitable for a modern interior?

Yes. Despite being painted in 1913, Jawlensky’s simplified forms and striking colour combinations give the artwork a remarkably contemporary appearance. It works especially well with modern, Scandinavian, minimalist and eclectic décor.

Can I buy Head in Black and Green as a canvas?

Yes. Head in Black and Green is available as both an Alexej von Jawlensky art print and canvas panel, allowing you to select the presentation that best suits your room and preferred interior style.

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