"I knew that I must paint not what I saw, but only what was in me, in my soul."

Alexej von Jawlensky was born in Russia and began his career in the imperial army before fully dedicating himself to painting. After moving to Munich, he encountered modern art, and his style underwent a fundamental transformation. Colors became more prominent, and his paintings of faces and landscapes became stylized. The result was like vibrant X-rays that provided the viewer with access to the inner landscape.