# Alexej von Jawlensky

> Russian painter (1865–1941)

**Wikidata**: [Q156426](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q156426)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexej_von_Jawlensky)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alexej-von-jawlensky

## Summary
Alexej von Jawlensky was a Russian painter active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is recognized as a significant figure in expressionist art, known for his membership in influential groups such as "The Blue Rider" (Der Blaue Reiter) and "Die Blaue Vier." His artistic repertoire spanned multiple genres, including portraits, landscapes, and religious art.

## Biography
- **Born:** March 13, 1864 (also recorded as March 26, 1864)
- **Died:** March 15, 1941
- **Nationality:** Russian; held citizenship in the Russian Empire, Weimar Republic, Germany, and the Soviet Union.
- **Education:** Educated at the Imperial Academy of Arts.
- **Known for:** Expressionist painting, particularly in the genres of portrait, landscape, and religious art.
- **Employer(s):** Employed by Q628254.
- **Field(s):** Visual Arts; specifically worked as a painter, draftsperson, printmaker, and art collector.

## Contributions
Alexej von Jawlensky made distinct contributions to the visual arts through his involvement with key expressionist movements and his diverse artistic output.
- **Artist Groups:** He was a member of the **Neue Künstlervereinigung München** (New Artist's Association of Munich), established in 1909. He later joined **The Blue Rider** (Der Blaue Reiter), a seminal group of expressionist artists founded in 1911 in Germany. In 1924, he became associated with **Die Blaue Vier** (The Blue Four), an artist group formed in Mexico.
- **Artistic Works:** His body of work includes the notable piece "Q4669922." His genres of work encompassed **portraits**, **landscape paintings**, **cityscapes**, **self-portraits**, **religious art**, and **still life**.
- **Archival Legacy:** His personal documents and works are indexed under numerous international library and art identifiers, including the Library of Congress (n81128287), GND (118557157), and VIAF (4938694).

## FAQs
**What artist groups was Alexej von Jawlensky affiliated with?**
Jawlensky was a member of the Neue Künstlervereinigung München, The Blue Rider, and Die Blaue Vier.

**What types of art did Alexej von Jawlensky create?**
He worked across several genres, creating portraits, landscapes, cityscapes, self-portraits, religious art, and still lifes. He also worked as a draftsperson and printmaker.

**Where was Alexej von Jawlensky educated?**
He received his education at the Imperial Academy of Arts.

**What is the timeline of Alexej von Jawlensky's life?**
He was born on March 13 (or March 26), 1864, and passed away on March 15, 1941.

## Why They Matter
Alexej von Jawlensky matters as a pivotal figure in the development of Expressionism in the early 20th century. His affiliation with "The Blue Rider" placed him at the center of a movement that radically shifted the use of color and form in modern art. By bridging the Russian artistic tradition with the German avant-garde, he contributed to a transnational dialogue that shaped modern visual aesthetics. His involvement in "Die Blaue Vier" further extended this influence, connecting European expressionism with broader international audiences.

## Notable For
- Being a member of **The Blue Rider**, a foundational group in German Expressionism founded in 1911.
- Membership in **Die Blaue Vier**, established in 1924.
- Association with the **Neue Künstlervereinigung München** starting in 1909.
- Creating a diverse body of work spanning **portraits**, **landscapes**, **religious art**, and **still lifes**.
- Education at the **Imperial Academy of Arts** in Saint Petersburg.
- Being recognized as both a **painter** and a **visual artist**.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Alexej von Jawlensky was born on **March 13, 1864** (alternative records cite **March 26, 1864**). His early artistic training took place at the **Imperial Academy of Arts** in Saint Petersburg, a prestigious institution founded in 1757. This education grounded him in the academic traditions of the **Russian Empire** before he moved west.

### Artistic Affiliations and Movements
Jawlensky's career was defined by his association with several groundbreaking artist groups:
- **Neue Künstlervereinigung München:** He was a member of this artist group, which was founded in 1909 in Germany. This association served as a precursor to his later, more famous collaborations.
- **The Blue Rider (Der Blaue Reiter):** Jawlensky joined this group of expressionist artists, which was founded in 1911. The group had a significant impact on modern art, characterized by its use of color and emotional depth.
- **Die Blaue Vier:** In 1924, Jawlensky was part of this group, which was founded in Mexico. This group further disseminated expressionist ideas globally.

### Artistic Career and Style
Jawlensky operated professionally as a **painter**, **draftsperson**, **printmaker**, and **art collector**. His work covered a wide spectrum of genres, including:
- **Portrait and Self-Portrait:** He frequently depicted human subjects and himself.
- **Landscape and Cityscape:** He captured both natural and urban environments.
- **Religious Art and Still Life:** These genres formed a significant part of his artistic output.

He was employed by **Q628254** during his career. His work is cataloged under the notable work **Q4669922**.

### Citizenship and Nationality
Throughout his life, Jawlensky held citizenship or nationality in several states due to the geopolitical shifts of the era:
- **Russian Empire**
- **Weimar Republic**
- **Germany**
- **Soviet Union**

### Identifiers and Legacy
Jawlensky's legacy is preserved through extensive cataloging in global databases. Key identifiers include:
- **GND ID:** 118557157
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n81128287
- **VIAF ID:** 4938694
- **ULAN ID:** 500017981
- **RKD ID:** 42062

He passed away on **March 15, 1941**.

## References

1. Union List of Artist Names
2. RKDartists
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. Integrated Authority File
5. BnF authorities
6. Museum of Modern Art online collection
7. SIKART
8. [The Fine Art Archive](https://cs.isabart.org/person/59297)
9. [Stilleven](https://www.stedelijk.nl/nl/collectie/24320-alexej-von-jawlensky-stilleven)
10. International Standard Name Identifier
11. Japan Search
12. CiNii Research
13. Virtual International Authority File
14. MusicBrainz
15. [Source](https://kalliope-verbund.info/DE-611-BF-113903)
16. [Alexej von Jawlensky. RKDartists](http://explore.rkd.nl/en/explore/artists/42062)
17. [Alexej von Jawlensky. SIKART](http://www.sikart.ch/KuenstlerInnen.aspx?id=4025537)
18. SNAC
19. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
20. Benezit Dictionary of Artists
21. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
22. Jawlensky, Alexei
23. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
24. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
25. [Source](https://www.documenta.de/en/retrospective/documenta)
26. Internationale Kunstausstellung des Sonderbundes Westdeutscher Kunstfreunde und Kunstler zu Coeln 1912
27. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb119599983)
28. CONOR.SI
29. [Museum of Modern Art](http://www.moma.org/collection/artists/2896)
30. ADAGP directory
31. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art online collection
32. [LIBRIS. 2013](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/c9ps0z4w2c2b0dz)
33. [Source](https://www.arsny.com/mostwanted/)
34. DACS register
35. [Source](http://www.moma.org/collection/works/36983)
36. [Frauenkopf](https://www.stedelijk.nl/nl/collectie/4349-alexej-von-jawlensky-frauenkopf)
37. [Source](https://library.si.edu/art-and-artist-files)
38. [Source](https://library.nga.gov/permalink/01NGA_INST/1cl1g8d/alma99779903504896)