Meditation ‘The Prayer’ (1922)

We are pleased to feature Alexej von Jawlensky's evocative painting, "Meditation: The Prayer," created in 1922, as a significant highlight of our collection. This work is a stellar example of Jawlensky's deep exploration into the spiritual and emotive power of art, expressed through abstract forms and vibrant colors.In "Meditation: The Prayer," Jawlensky abstracts the human face to its essential components and colors, inviting viewers to transcend the physical world and delve into a spiritual experience. The composition is dominated by bold, defined lines and shapes that suggest the contours of a face. A central vertical division suggests the nose, flanked on either side by deep hues that form the eyes and cheeks, representing a visage absorbed in prayer or meditation.The use of color in this piece is particularly striking—subtle blends of oranges, pinks, and purples convey warmth and depth, while contrasting accents of green and yellow add a mystical quality that might be interpreted as the presence of the divine or the transcendental. The soft, almost blurred edges where colors meet enhance the dreamlike, ethereal quality of the painting, encouraging the viewer to reflect inwardly."Meditation: The Prayer" is more than just a visual experience; it is an invitation to the viewer to join in a moment of contemplation and spiritual connection. This painting exemplifies Jawlensky's mastery in using abstract forms to evoke emotional resonance and spiritual reflection. It remains a profound statement in the pursuit of expressing the ineffable through art.