Städel Museum
Frankfurt am Main, DE

circa 1919 to 1920

The onset of World War 1 compelled Jawlensky to flee Germany, leading him to seek refuge in St Prex on Lake Geneva. During his exile, he found solace and inspiration in the view from his window. He became captivated by the ever-changing visual effects brought about by the shifting weather, different times of the day, and the transitioning seasons. He embarked on a remarkable endeavor, repeatedly recording this view in a series of artworks known as Variations. Often, he created multiple variations in a single day, resulting in hundreds of these unique pieces.

Throughout this creative process, Jawlensky simplified the elements of the landscape, such as the path, bushes, and trees, into a few recurring forms and colour zones. He initially laid out the compositions in pencil and then skillfully used oil paint to blend them together, creating a soft and harmonious pastel palette. These Variations reflect his deep connection to nature and his profound ability to capture the essence of the ever-changing scenery outside his window during his exile.