THE PROPERTY OF AN AMERICAN COLLECTOR
Alexej von Jawlensky (1864-1941)

Heilandsgesicht: In der Liebe ist ewig was geistig ist

Details
Alexej von Jawlensky (1864-1941)
Heilandsgesicht: In der Liebe ist ewig was geistig ist
signed with initials (lower left), signed again, dated and inscribed 'In der Liebe ist ewig was geistig ist, A. J., Ostern 1919, Leihgabe für das Provinzialmuseum. 5. Heilandsgesicht' (on the reverse), also inscribed by Galka Scheyer 'Jawlensky New Understand i. 17' (on the reverse)
oil on linen-finish paper laid down on cardboard
13 3/8 x 10¼in. (34 x 26cm.)
Painted in the Easter of 1919
Provenance
The Artist's Studio.
Galka Scheyer, Hollywood, 1919.
Milton Wichner, Los Angeles.
Literature
M. Jawlensky, L. Pieroni-Jawlensky and A. Jawlensky, Alexej von Jawlensky, Catalogue Raisonné of the Oil Paintings, vol. II, 1914-1933, London, 1992, no. 1074 (illustrated p. 304).

Lot Essay

In an undated letter to Jawlensky, Galka Scheyer wrote "I have just newly framed the head that you gave me at Easter 1919 and on the back of which you inscribed: 'In love is eternally what is spiritual.' The head is glorious. It has never had a name. I call it 'Flowering', because it 'blooms' in its colours." (see M. Jawlensky, L. Pieroni-Jawlensky and A. Jawlensky, op. cit., p. 304).

Jawlensky nicknamed his agent and confidante 'Galka' which means 'jackdaw' in Russian, perhaps on account of her jetblack hair (see Fig. 1). Galka came from a wealthy Brunswick family, and first saw works by Jawlensky at an exhibition in Lausanne in 1915. They made such an impression on her that she determined to meet the artist, which she did at Saint-Prex in 1916. Thereafter, she became Jawlensky's secretary, agent and dealer, and was responsible for arranging exhibitions of his work first in Germany and later in America.

More from German & Austrian Art '96

View All
View All