- Published: September 15, 2022
- Updated: September 15, 2022
- University / College: Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)
- Level: Doctor of Philosophy
- Language: English
- Downloads: 2
Wassily Kandinsky Wassily Kandinsky was born in 1866 in Moscow, Russia. He exhibited his interest in art at the age of 30 although he had received training in drawing and painting. Moreover, he was a qualified musician playing different instruments. However, he exhibited an obsession and curiosity surrounding color and experimented broadly with different colors. Through his exploration, he developed new concepts of abstract art. Although he was not the first abstract painter, he made significant contributions to abstract art and influenced other artists who experienced the compulsion to employ his concepts in their work. Despite his interest in art, he pursued law and economics as suggested by his parents. As a well-educated man, he chose to pursue Art and experiment with his obsession for colors. This paper will discuss how Kandinsky developed a unique style and explored abstract art as well as highlight some of the artists that he influenced.
Worth noting is the fact that the painting was a spiritual thing for Kandinsky and he intended to use it to convey different levels of human emotions. He sought to use abstract forms and colors to explore different cultures and physical boundaries. In his view, abstract art was of critical importance in the expression of inner necessity. Kandinsky associated musical sounds with the potential to evoke different emotions in listeners (Kandinsky 27). Therefore, he wanted to develop an art that could trigger similar emotions to his audience. He wanted to develop object-free art that had a spiritual connection and a direct allusion to different emotions. Worth noting is the fact that his ability to create object free paintings with a strong allusion to different human emotions defined his unique style. Kandinsky had his first experience of object-free art in an exhibition that he attended and developed a close in this form of art.
Kandinsky worked closely with other artists, who influenced him in different ways. For example, one of his close friends was Paul Klee with whom he shared artistic ideas. His relationship with Gabriele Munter, who was an artist also served to influence his unique style. Kandinsky worked closely with other artists in Munich, Germany an experience that helped him advance his unique style (52). Kandinsky managed to achieve both pure abstraction and subjection in his art. He associated his work with musical titles because of his love for music. Some analysts have highlighted that he had anesthesia, a condition that helped him closely explore different colors in his style of painting.
Kandinsky influenced other artists such as Arshile Gorky, who also explored abstract expressionism. Gorky was a close observer of Kandinsky’s work explaining why he considered him very influential. He also influenced other artists such as Malevich Kazimir. Worth noting is the fact that Malevich explored abstract art, but relied on geometry. Kandinskys work closely inspired him. Similarly, Jackson Pollock learned a great deal of abstract art concepts from Kandinsky (11). Until now, Kandinsky receives recognition as the founder of abstract art. However, it has not been confirmed that he was the first artist who explored abstraction.
Work Cited
Kandinsky, Wassily. Concerning the Spiritual in Art. New York: Dover Publications, 2012. Print.