Mittlere Meditation (Erdgebunden) (1936)

Alexej von Jawlensky's work, , painted in 1936, invites viewers on a spiritual and introspective journey. This painting, a part of his larger series of meditative faces, showcases Jawlensky's move towards mysticism and abstract expression in the latter part of his career.The artwork is noted for its stark simplicity and profound emotional depth. A composition of heavy, textured brushstrokes compacts intense colors into a confined canvas space, representing a face abstracted to the essentials. At first glance, viewers might perceive a dark palette dominated by browns and blacks, interspersed with touches of white and hints of vibrant orange that suggest a living warmth amidst otherwise muted tones.Jawlensky's focus on vertical and horizontal lines creates a cross-like structure within the face, perhaps indicating a moment of spiritual reflection or inner turmoil. The eyes, dark and barely discernible, seem to retreat into the sockets, enhancing a sense of inward-looking pensiveness, while the minimalistic depiction of the lips and cheeks further abstracts human emotion to its elemental forms."Mittlere Meditation (Erdgebunden)" stands as a testament to Jawlensky's exploration of the soul through art. It challenges its audience to pause and reflect, not only on the painting itself but also on the deeper contemplations of human existence and spirituality.