Russian 'Expressionist' painter, Alexei von Jawlensky or Alexej Georgewitsch von Jawlensky or Aleksey von Jawlensky, was born in an aristocratic family on March 13, 1864, near Torschok in Russia. In 1874, Jawlenskys migrated to Moscow. His father was a colonel and this fact propelled Alexei to join the cadet school in Moscow. In 1880, the artist got an opportunity to see the Moscow World Exposition, which inspired him towards art. As a lieutenant, Jawlensky managed a transfer to St. Louis. Petersburg, to study at the Academy of Fine Arts under the guidance of the reputed Russian painter, Ilya Repin. At the Academy, Alexei met the painter, Marianna von Werefkin, who provided instrumental in promoting his art in the later years.
Although, Russian by origin, the painter's work ground was Germany. His artistic journey in Germany began in 1896. That year, Alexei von Jawlensky quit the military service as a Captain, and migrated to Munich along with Werefkin and his house cleaner, Helen Nesnakomoff, with what he later tied knot. In Munich, he attended the Art Academy, owned by Anton Azbe. He was introduced there to its director and one of the founders of Abstract painting, Wassily Kandinsky. Alexei von Jawlensky developed a strong rapport with Kandinsky that lasted lifelong. The artist traveled extensively through Europe, and met the artists of high repute, such as Van Gogh, Cezanne, and Matisse, who works a major role in molding his artistic thoughts. On his return to Munich, the painter joined the artistic group, 'Neue Kunstler Vereinigung Munchen (New Munich Artist's Association),' which had artists like Paul Klee, Franz Marc, and Kandinsky, as its members.
With the outbreak of World War I, Jawlensky had to leave Germany, owed to his Russian nativity. He settled down in Switzerland, and put his hands on landscape paintings, carving out a niche for himself. This shot him to fame and glory. The artist also painted several large 'Cubist' style heads called "Meditations." His works mainly mainly on landscapes, portraits, and still life. He believed in portraying his experiences, emotions, and convictions through his art. In effect, his paintings were an amalgamation of realty, and imagery, with a generous use of strong colors, and bold shapes, having thick contours. "Hyacinth" (1902), "Portrait of the Dancer Alexander Sacharoff" (1909), and "Vase and Jug" (1909) are some of the hallmarks the artist produced during this phase.
In the year 1916, Jawlensky met Emmy Scheyer, who became his student. Scheyer was in charge of organizing all of Alexei's exhibitions in Germany. She even took the initiative of forming the group, 'Die Blaue Vier (The Blue Four),' in 1924, as a platform for exhibiting the works of Jawlensky, Kandinsky, Klee, and Lyonel Feininger in the United States. In addition, she was actively involved in the advertizing and promotion of their creations, until her death in the year 1945. In 1929, Jawlinsky suffered from arthritis, and this forced him to paint with both his hands. By 1937, he became very incapable of painting. By then, the Nazis had declared his art as 'degenerate,' and most of his works were confiscated. The competent painter died on March 15, 1941, in Weisbaden, Germany.
(1928), Cornfield near Carantec, and Fir Tree, Girl with Flower Hat, "which was featured as a cover art by the jazz music group, 'Acoustic Ladyland' for their album, Skinny Grin, in 2006. Alexi's contributions to the field of art later on came to be known as 'Meditative Art.'