Oil on canvas-textured paper, originally mounted on artist's board. Monogrammed lower left and dated lower right. Inscribed with the artist's name, presumably by Lisa Kümmel, as well as “XII. 1936” and “N. 7.” on the reverse. Also inscribed “Meditation XLVI” by Andreas Jawlensky, the artist's son, on the reverse, as well as typographically titled on a label. 25.5 x 19.9 cm. Backing board: 42 x 32 cm.
[AW].
• The subtlest color gradations, from delicate purple to red and vibrant turquoise.
• In this series, Jawlensky reached the pinnacle of painterly abstraction.
• The uncompromising commitment to these compositions resembles a cultic act.
• From the artist's estate.
• A “Great Meditation” from the same year is in the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
LITERATURE: Maria Jawlensky, Lucia Pieroni-Jawlensky, Angelica Jawlensky, Alexej von Jawlensky. Catalogue Raisonné of the Oil Paintings, vol. 3: 1933-1937, Munich 1993, cat. no. 2107 (illustrated in color). - - Clemens Weiler, Alexej Jawlenksy. Köpfe - Gesichter - Meditationen, Hanau 1970, cat. no. 1037.