Marianne von Werefkin
- Born:
- August 29, 1860, Tula, Russia
- Died:
- February 6, 1938, Ascona, Switzerland
- Nationality:
- Russian-Swiss
- Profession(s):
- Expressionist Painter
Early Life and Education
- Born into a noble family; her father was commander of the Ekaterinburg Regiment.
- Received private art lessons from Ilya Repin, a prominent Russian realist painter.
- Suffered a near-fatal injury to her painting hand in 1888, which significantly impacted her artistic technique.
Career and Major Achievements
- Moved to Munich in 1896 with Alexej von Jawlensky, where they jointly worked and developed their artistic styles.
- Became a key figure in the avant-garde movement, particularly German Expressionism.
- A founder of the Neue Künstlervereinigung München (NKVM), later known as Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider).
- Her work explored themes of alienation, social injustice, and the human condition.
Notable Works
- "Self-Portrait I" (c. 1908)
- "Street with Children Wearing Red Hats" (c. 1909)
- "The Sad Sound" (1907)
- "The Dancer Alexander Sacharoff" (1909)
- "Autumn School" (1907)
Legacy and Impact
Marianne von Werefkin was a pivotal figure in the development of Expressionism. Her contributions as an artist and intellectual significantly shaped the art scene of the early 20th century. While less known than some of her contemporaries, recent scholarship has highlighted her importance as a leading voice and artistic innovator. The question of influence, such as that discussed when considering a 'marianne von werefkin biography of george', showcases her place amongst other influential artists.