Marianne von Werefkin Pioneer of Expressionism

Marianne von Werefkin played a key role in the development of expressionism in the early 20th century. This is an overview of her colourful universe. Published to accompany an exhibition at Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, from October 5, 2025 - March 16, 2025.

Marianne von Werefkin played a key role in the development of expressionism in the early 20th century, thanks to her knowledge of the latest developments in Paris. She brought this to Germany and later Switzerland and developed a unique way of painting herself, using rhythm and color to convey her vision and emotions. Social themes, such as the lives of workers and women, remained of great importance to her. Werefkin was at the cradle of several artists' networks, such as Der Blaue Reiter, which included her partner Alexej von Jawlensky as well as Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc and Gabriele Münter. Museum De Fundatie is the only museum in the Netherlands to have a work by Werefkin in its collection and, with this book, offers an overview of her colorful universe for the first time in the Netherlands. Several essays give a multifaceted impression of the life, work and significance of one of the greatest art innovators of the last century.

Beatrice von Bormann Foreword 7 Russian period 8 Mara Folini Ceccarelli Marianne von Werefkin: Artist and Outsider 14 Munich 28 Der Blaue Reiter 54 Sketchbooks 62 Beatrice von Bormann The sketches of Marianne von Werefkin 64 Leiko Ikemura on werefkin 82 Traveling in the 1910s 84 Saint-Prex, Zürich 92 Roman Zieglgänsberger Work in Progress: On the Narrative Visual Idiom of Marianne von Werefkin 100 Ascona 114 Biography 136 Notes 143