Wassily Kandinsky (1866- 1944)
“Colour is a power which directly influences the soul.”
German Expressionism and the History
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More specifically part of the Der Blaue Reiter (Blue Rider) expressionist group
This group was formed in 1911 and lasted until 1914, in Munich Germany and included artists
Franz Marc and Wassily Kandinsky
Although this was not a social revolutionary period, it was a powerful influence to 20th century
art
Focused on abstracted forms and prismatic colours which had spiritual values
Promotion of modern art and contemporary art scene
This movement only lasted a few years because of the outbreak of WWI, and the group was
disrupted
Franz Marc was killed in combat and the Russians that were part of the group were forced to
move back to Russia because of their Russian citizenship
About Wassily Kandinsky/ Importance In Art History
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Born in Moscow, lived in Odessa for his young life, then moved to Munich to study art in his 30's
so he began his art career much later than most artists
During WWI returned back to Russia to study at university there but soon after the war returned
back to Munich
Taught at the Bauhaus (German art school where modern concepts of design originated)
He was credited with painting the first non objective painting called the First Abstract
Watercolour, 1910
Since music was a big influence throughout his life, he often titled his artworks with musical
terminology (ex. Composition 8,or, Improvisation 9"
Kandinsky's Style
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Influenced by Monet his Haystack series, specifically the colours used
His early works were similar to Fauve’s - recognizable with vivid colours
Later work more abstracted and geometric - more about shape, line and colour not subject
matter
Characteristics
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Abstract
Shape, line, colour important
Non-objective art
Own personal language of colour and shape to express his feelings
Express music through art - Colours dissonant & slashing like musical compositions
He thought the triangle would cause aggressive feelings, the square calm feelings, and the circle
spiritual feelings
Study for Composition No. 2, 1910
- Shapes starting to be more abstract however the
forms are still recognizable
- Viewer can make out the rider and other events in the
painting such as the Cataclysmic events on one side,
and paradise of spiritual salvation on the other
- Symbol for dream of more spiritual future
- Has vivid colours
Composition 7 (VII), 1913
-More abstract as this is his later work
- Eye in center is shaped like a hurricane with everything
swirling towards the center, which represents Paradise,
Noah’s Flood, and the Resurrection
- Swirling and bright colours emphasizing each other
- Musical inspiration-motion through the lines like a
clash of a symphony
Composition 8 (VIII), 1923
- Focus more on shape rather than colour in this
painting
- Surface is dynamic and calm, aggressive and quiet all
in one because of the layered surface and many
different shapes
-Different colours within forms to energize the
geometry
- Circle – calm feeling and triangle – aggressive
Works Cited
http://shipwreckstudio.blogspot.ca/2011/01/claude-monet-haystack-series.html
http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/collections/collection-online/artwork/1924
http://www.ducksters.com/biography/artists/wassily_kandinsky.php
http://www.artcenterinformation.com/2012/08/who-and-what-inspired-wassily-kandinsky/
http://www.wassilykandinsky.net/
http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/kandinsky/
Art History Textbook
http://www.wassily-kandinsky.org/
http://www.wassilykandinsky.net/painting1896-1944.php
http://themostfamouspaintings.blogspot.ca/2008/02/wassily-kandinsky-biography-and.html