The awarding of the art prize serves to recognize and promote outstanding artists whose work is part of the international dialogue of the visual arts.

The prize is named after the painter Alexej von Jawlensky, who was born in Russia in 1864 and died in Wiesbaden in 1941, having spent the last part of his life in Wiesbaden. Many of his major works were created in today's Hessian state capital. The Wiesbaden Museum presents numerous works by the famous artist in its permanent collection.