Born in Torzhok, Russia, Jawlensky pursued a military career before transitioning to painting in the 1890s. He moved to Munich, where he became deeply involved in the avant-garde art scene, forming significant associations with Wassily Kandinsky and Marianne von Werefkin. His early work was heavily influenced by the vibrant colors of the Fauves and the structural rigor of Post-Impressionism.

Jawlensky is best recognized for his series of Meditation and Abstract Head paintings, which distilled the human face into simplified, geometric forms and intense, non-naturalistic color palettes. His practice evolved from lush, expressive landscapes toward a more spiritual and meditative approach to portraiture, often utilizing a consistent, icon-like structure.

Throughout his career, he remained a pivotal figure in the development of German Expressionism. His contributions to the New Munich Artist's Association and his later participation in Die Blaue Vier solidified his legacy as a bridge between Russian artistic traditions and the modernist movements emerging in early 20th-century Europe.