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| Alexej von Jawlensky was born in Russia. | ||
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 Manuelita with Kachina Nicolai Fechin  Beach Scene (Children in Surf) Roland Schneider |
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 Red Blossom Alexej von Jawlensky |
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PDF (1.3mb)  Who is the artist? Alexej von Jawlensky What is the name of the artwork? Meditation What materials were used? Oil on paper mounted on board Where is the artist from? Russia When was the artwork made? 1935  Alexej von Jawlensky was born in Russia on March 26, 1864, but spent most of his life in Germany. He also traveled throughout Europe to study art. He eventually showed his artwork in Paris, France, alongside very famous artists such as Henri Matisse. However, in the 1930s, Adolf Hitler interrupted the art world in Germany. He did not approve of the style that Jawlensky and many other artists were using in their artwork. Hitler felt that art should look realistic and most of Jawlensky’s artwork was abstract. Because of this, Hitler would not allow any of Jawlensky’s paintings to be displayed in Germany. Jawlensky was very upset about this, but he continued to paint anyway.  Meditation is one of the 1,000 abstract portraits that Jawlensky painted near the end of his life. All are small and made with a limited amount of materials since art supplies were difficult to afford during the time before and during World War II. This painting was not made on a canvas, which would have cost a lot of money during that time. Instead, Jawlensky painted this portrait on paper that was attached to a board. For this painting, Jawlensky chose dark colors to show the sadness he felt about the war and Hitler’s disapproval of his artwork. Many of the abstract portraits that Jawlensky painted during the time of Hitler use these same colors to express his sad feelings. How can you tell that this painting is a portrait? Where do you see the nose, eyes, and mouth? Who do you think the subject is of this portrait? What makes you think that? What does meditation mean? Why do you think the artist chose this title? If you could give this portrait a new title, what would it be? If you were going to create a cheerful abstract portrait, which colors would you choose? Why?  Abstract – A type of artwork where the artist changes the appearance so it no longer looks realistic. Meditate - To spend time in quiet thinking. Portrait – A picture of a person, usually showing the face. Realistic – A type of artwork that is true to life or nature. |
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Alexej von Jawlensky Russia, 1864-1941 Meditation Oil on paper mounted on board, 1935 Bequest of Earle W. Grant 1972:47 © San Diego Museum of Art  |
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1861 American Civil War begins 1864 Jawlensky born in Russia 1879 Thomas Edison invents the electric light 1903
1919 In the U.S., women are granted the right to vote 1935 Meditation is painted 1941 Jawlensky dies in Germany 1947
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