Abstract Art Artists: Wassily Kandinsky
Is Kandinsky art copyrighted?
Kandinsky’s works are in the public domain in Russia. It is claimed that paintings from his “Russian period” from 1914 to 1921 were thus fine to host here, although their copyright status in other countries is unknown.
What is Wassily Kandinsky’s art style?
Wassily Kandinsky was a pioneer of abstract art, and his art style evolved significantly over the course of his career. He is often credited with creating the first purely abstract paintings in the history of Western art. Kandinsky’s art style can be categorized into several phases:
- Early Expressionism: (1900–1910): In the early part of his career, Kandinsky was associated with Expressionism. His work during this period was influenced by his experiences in Russia and featured bold colors and dynamic brushwork. Notable paintings from this era include “The Blue Rider” and “Study for Improvisation V.”
- Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) Period (1911–1914): Kandinsky, along with artist Franz Marc, co-founded the artistic group “Der Blaue Reiter,” which aimed to express spiritual truths through art. During this period, Kandinsky’s art became more abstract, and he began to emphasize the symbolic and spiritual aspects of color and form. “Composition V” and “Composition VII” are iconic works from this phase.
- Abstract Period (1914–1921): Kandinsky’s art entered a fully abstract phase during and after World War I. He developed a style characterized by geometric shapes, fluid lines, and a non-representational approach to composition. Kandinsky believed that color and form could evoke emotions and spiritual experiences directly, without the need for representational elements. “Yellow-Red-Blue” and “Composition VIII” exemplify this period.
- Bauhaus Period (1922–1933): Kandinsky joined the Bauhaus, a renowned school of art, design, and architecture, in 1922. During his time there, he continued to explore abstract art, merging elements of geometric abstraction with a focus on color theory. His teachings and writings at the Bauhaus had a lasting impact on the development of abstract art. Notable works from this period include “Composition X” and “Several Circles.”
Throughout his career, Kandinsky’s art style reflected a deep interest in the spiritual and emotional dimensions of art. He believed that abstract forms and colors could communicate universal truths and transcend the limitations of representational art. His contributions laid the groundwork for the development of abstract expressionism and modern abstract art movements.
Read more about Wassily Kandinsky on Wikipedia.