Artwork
Medusa
Medusa is an oil painting by Alexej von Jawlensky. It dates from 1923 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.
About this work
Overview
Medusa (La Méduse or Head of a Woman "Medusa", Light and Shadow) is a 1923 Expressionist painting by Alexej von Jawlensky, housed at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon since 1936.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a female face with distinctive features: a prominent nose, full lips, wide-open eyes, and visible hair at the top. The subject is set against a vibrant, colorful backdrop, evoking intensity and drama.
Technique & Style
Jawlensky employed a mix of bold brushstrokes and smooth textures. His expressive use of color generates depth and emotional resonance, characteristic of his Expressionist approach.
History & Provenance
Created in 1923, during Jawlensky's focus on the human figure (initiated in 1917), the work was acquired by the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon in 1936.
Context
This piece reflects Jawlensky's shift towards figural painting, marked by bold coloration and expressive intensity, aligning with early 20th-century Expressionist movements.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alexej Georgewitsch von Jawlensky (Russian: Алексе́й Гео́ргиевич Явле́нский, romanized: Alekséy Geórgiyevich Yavlénskiy; 13 March 1864 – 15 March 1941), surname also spelt as Yavlensky, was a Russian expressionist painter active in Germany.
