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Kandinsky: A Vibration of the Soul

Wassily Kandinsky, considered by many as the father of abstract painting, was born on December 4, 1866 and died in the same month, 78 years later–December 13, 1944. Kandinsky was an art theorist, economist, lawyer, teacher and artist. I submit that December is a fine time to honor one of the most influential 20th century painters, whose work is altogether abstracted, expressionistic and spiritual.
Contrary to most critics, Kandinsky did not see abstract painting as being solely concerned with technique: line, color, and shape. He maintained that abstract art represents the inner side of reality rather than the outer form, the esoteric rather than the exoteric. And he also maintained that because abstract art is concerned with the inner side, it can be a means for self-transformation. Given his view of the purpose of art, it is not surprising that Kandinsky was deeply influenced by Theosophy.

When we look at colors on the painter’s palette, a double effect happens: a purely physical effect on the eye, charmed by the beauty of colors firstly, which provokes a joyful impression as when we eat a delicacy. But this effect can be much deeper and causes an emotion and a vibration of the soul, or an inner resonance, which is a purely spiritual effect, by which the color touches the soul itself.

Composition IV 1911 (170 Kb); Oil on canvas, 159.5 x 250.5 cm (62 7/8 x 98 5/8 in); Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfallen, Dusseldorf

Improvisation 7 1910 (180 Kb); Oil on canvas, 131 x 97 cm; Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

Image Composition VII 1913 (200 Kb); Oil on canvas, 200 x 300 cm (6 6 3/4 x 9 11 1/8); Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

Fragment 2 for Composition VII 1913 (180 Kb); Oil on canvas, 87.5 x 99.5 cm (34 1/2 x 39 1/4 in); Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY

On White II 1923; Oil on canvas, 105 x 98cm; Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris

Composition VIII 1923 (140 Kb); Oil on canvas, 140 x 201 cm (55 1/8 x 79 1/8 in); Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York

Composition IX 1936 (120 Kb); Oil on canvas, 113.5 x 195 cm (44 5/8 x 76 3/4 in); Musee National dArt Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris

Composition X 1939 (160 Kb); Oil on canvas, 130 x 195 cm (51 1/8 x 76 3/4 in); Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Dusseldorf

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  • December 10, 2009

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by jesse turri, jesse turri. jesse turri said: Kandinsky: A Vibration of the Soul - http://jesseturri.com/wordpress/?p=973 [...]

    Reply
  • December 13, 2009

    Jesse,Albright Knox is a great day trip if you'd ever like to go sometime. Perhaps this next Autumn, I will be in Rochester, and can offer you and your wife a place to sleep after a trip to the Museum.

    Reply
    • turricom
      December 13, 2009

      We would love to go man! I've never been to Rochester, thanks for the offer :)

      Reply
  • June 12, 2010

    [...] history of German Bauhaus school of art, design and architecture. His colleague at the school, Wassily Kandinsky, the father of Abstract Art, is one of my all time favorite [...]

    Reply
  • November 23, 2010

    graffiti art is good to find so its helpful when someone posts modern art online

    Reply
  • September 25, 2011

    can you explain to me fragment theory in detail

    Reply
  • March 7, 2012

    Trackback[...] really good posts and I believe I'd love to write some articles for [...]

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