Marianne von Werefkin, a central figure in early twentieth-century Expressionism, emerged from the Russian nobility to redefine modern art in Germany and Switzerland. Initially recognized as a highly skilled Realist painter in the Tsarist Empire, she later pivoted toward Symbolism and Expressionist practice, significantly influencing the evolution of the Munich avant-garde circles.
Early Development in Russia
Born in 1860 in Tula, Werefkin was the daughter of Vladimir Nikolayevich Veryovkin, a general in the Imperial Russian Army. By 1874, her talent for drawing received formal attention. She studied under Ilya Repin, a master of Russian Realism, starting in 1880. During this period, she gained a reputation for technical precision, earning the nickname the Russian Rembrandt. Her early work included rigorous academic training and painting on her family estate, Blagodat, in Lithuania.
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Following her father's death in 1896, Werefkin moved to Munich, supported by a significant annual pension. She resided in a studio apartment on Giselastrasse, which became a hub for local artists. During this era, she famously interrupted her own creative output for ten years to facilitate the artistic training of Alexej von Jawlensky, with whom she had a long-term relationship. Despite this hiatus, she remained active in the local scene, founding the Brotherhood of St. Luke in 1897, an organization that provided the foundation for the New Artists' Association Munich and the later Blue Rider group.
Resurgence and Later Life
In 1906, after travelling through France, specifically Brittany and the Mediterranean coast, Werefkin resumed her painting career. Her style matured into the bold, emotive visual language associated with Expressionism. She moved to Switzerland during the interwar period, continuing her work until her death in 1938. She is buried in the Ascona cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1860, Tula
- Died: 1938, Ascona
- Citizenship: Russian Empire
- Primary Movement: Expressionism
- Notable Work: Selfportrait I
- Teacher: Ilya Repin
Questions readers ask
Why did Marianne von Werefkin stop painting for a decade?
She chose to pause her own artistic career for ten years to focus entirely on supporting and funding the education of her partner, Alexej von Jawlensky.
Did Marianne von Werefkin ever marry?
No, she refused to marry, largely because doing so would have resulted in the loss of the generous pension she received from the Tsar.
Achievements
- Notable work: Selfportrait I
- Movement: Expressionism and Symbolism
