Artwork
Red Path, St. Prex
Red Path, St. Prex is an oil painting by Alexej von Jawlensky. It dates from 1915 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Alexej von Jawlensky’s landscape titled Red Path, St. Prex was executed in 1915 using oil on paper mounted on cardboard. The work measures a modest size and presents a composition dominated by a vivid red track that leads the eye forward, set against a backdrop of foliage and a sky rendered in blended blue‑purple tones.
Subject & Meaning
The central element is a crimson pathway that cuts through a verdant foreground, suggesting a directed journey or passage. Trees and surrounding greenery frame the scene, while the atmospheric sky contributes a sense of distance. The juxtaposition of the striking red line with more muted natural colors creates a visual tension that guides the viewer’s movement across the picture plane.
Technique & Style
Jawlensky employs confident, broad brushstrokes characteristic of his later period, allowing color to define form rather than precise delineation. The oil medium on paper yields a textured surface, and the palette—intense reds, deep blues, and purples—reflects his interest in expressive color harmonies. The handling of paint emphasizes surface vitality and a rhythmic flow within the composition.
History & Provenance
Created amid World War I, the painting was likely produced while Jawlensky was residing in Switzerland, a period when he frequently depicted local scenery. The work entered private collections shortly after its completion and has since been documented in exhibition catalogues focusing on his Swiss landscapes, though specific ownership details remain limited.
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