Still Life with a Purple Bowl (1912)

Artist:Year:"Still Life with a Purple Bowl" by Alexej von Jawlensky exemplifies the artist’s bold, expressive approach to color and form, hallmarks of his contribution to the Expressionist movement. Created in 1912, this painting diverges from traditional still life compositions in its vivid color palette and abstracted depiction of objects.In this painting, the titular purple bowl rests on a dark surface, partially filled with bright red apples. Adjacent to the bowl, a triangularly shaped object, perhaps a folded cloth or a two-dimensional depiction of another bowl, adds an intriguing element to the composition. To the right stands a striking blue vase, its form simplified yet distinct against the darker background. The background swirls with deep blues and greens, setting a contrasting backdrop that makes the foreground elements pop with vibrancy.Foregrounding the composition is an array of rounded, colorful shapes resembling fruits scattered across the space, each rendered in a different hue—reds, oranges, greens, and yellows create a mosaic of chromatic intensity that captures the viewer's eye.Jawlensky's work here is not just a representation of everyday items but an exploration of color interaction, shape simplification, and emotional expression.