Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944) was a pioneering Russian painter and art theorist, often credited with creating the first purely abstract artworks. Born in Moscow, Kandinsky spent a significant part of his artistic career in Germany, becoming a central figure in the avant-garde Blaue Reiter group before joining the Bauhaus, a revolutionary German school of art and design.
Kandinsky’s painting style evolved over the years from impressionistic to abstract. His profound belief was that painting could be akin to making music, a mode of representing one’s inner nature without resorting to representational images. This relationship between color and sound played a crucial role in the development of his abstract style.
He found his inspirations from music, particularly the works of Arnold Schoenberg. Kandinsky’s theories on abstraction focused on the emotional and spiritual representation of colors, lines, and shapes, asserting that they could be just as powerful as representational art. His groundbreaking treatise, “Concerning the Spiritual in Art” (1910), expounds on his beliefs about abstraction and the synthesis of art forms.
Artists that shared or were influenced by Kandinsky’s style and theories include Kazimir Malevich, Alexej von Jawlensky, and Franz Marc. Each explored abstraction in their ways, but Kandinsky’s influence on the shift from representational art to a focus on pure color, form, and line is undeniable.
In summary, Wassily Kandinsky’s visionary approach to painting has cemented his place in art history as a groundbreaking proponent of abstract art, forever changing the trajectory of modern art.
Useful Links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wassily_Kandinsky
https://www.wikiart.org/en/wassily-kandinsky
