Background Context of Kandinsky's Work - Essay Example

A MOMENT IN HISTORY Student’s Name Instructor’s Name Class Name Date Wassily Kandinsky Introduction Wassily Wassilyevich Kandinsky was born in 1886 to Russian parents. He died in December 1944 after along career in painting and music. He was also an art theorist. The first pure abstract works is credited to his name. Kandinsky grew up in Odessa (Düchting, 2008, 17). He studied economic and law at the University of Moscow. He became a professor and chair of Roman law at the University of Dorpat. While there he started painting studies which included life drawing, anatomy and sketching. He was 30 years old at that time. He went to settle in Munich in 1896 where he studied fine art. He died in 1944 in France where he had been working on some of his best known works. Kandinsky made so many contributions to art and painting in particular. Some of his works have been regarded as very important in history. His dedication to his work and creativity in ideas has earned him an important position in the history of art. This report focuses on the background context of Kandinsky’s work, the significance and influence of his work in the world of art (Kandinsky, Lindsay, Vergo 1994, 82). Background context of Kandinsky’s work Besides addressing the issues of culture in his times, Kandinsky also focused his artwork on political, social and technological issues. He addressed political issues at his time including the First World War. Some of his paintings depicted certain ideas about the role of Russia and Germany in the World war, as well as other interesting ideas about the war. He also made his paintings respond to the social issues of his time by making paintings on many of those issues. He was fascinated by happenings in the society at his time and his interest was reflected in what he was doing. He took keen interest in the occultist practices in his society and decided to write a book a bout them and also sought to convey spiritual messages in his paintings. His vision in art involved a lot of mysticism and he sought to view it more from the spiritual dimension. Kandinsky’s works in Abstract Art featured topics such as the discoveries made in the atomic research field, changing trends in cubism, reactions on the materialistic state of the society, Freud’s theories, and the prevalent rebellion against art conventions. He also painted about the legends, naturalistic landscapes and the various scenes present in Russian life at his time. His works were meant to correct what he thought was wrong in society. Paintings on political, cultural and technological issues were meant to bring a positive change in those areas. He also wanted to promote the art of the future through his works. In all his works Kandinsky responded more to culture than anything else. His painting and art work was inspired by the culture in Russia, Germany and France. Kandinsky made his purely abstract works after developing and maturing in deep thought founded on his experience in art. He described this kind of dedication to inner beauty as the fervor of the spirit since it was very important to his artwork (Barasch, 1998, 34). In his childhood, one thing that stimulated and fascinated him was color. He grew up with this fascination on the symbolism of color and psychology. In his writings called “Looks on the past” Kandinsky he recalls the colors with which the churches and houses in Vologda, Moscow were decorated. When he went into them he got a feeling of going into a painting. This experience of color in Vologda and others such as those he gained by studying the fork art of the region especially the application of bright colors on a dull background proved to be a great inspiration in his works of art. At one time in his life Kandinsky displayed his fascination and inspiration with culture by comparing painting with music composition in a way that he can be noticed. He likened the keyboard to color, the eyes to the harmonies and the soul to a piano that has several strings (Düchting, 2008, 54). He likened the artist to the hand playing the keys to make vibrations take place in the source. In 1896 Kandinsky saw the paintings made by Monet (Short, C. 2009, 31). The style of Haystacks in the painting impressed him a lot because of the strong sense of color that he saw in it. Kandinsky also responded to music especially the works of Richard Wagner in Lohengrin. He saw this work as pushing the melody and music limits farther than standard lyricism. His work was also informed by cultural artists such as Blavatsky who was a specialist in theosophy. He also received a lot of visual influence from the illustrations of John Varley in his work called “Thought forms.” Between 1918 and 1921, Kandinsky was dealing with Russian cultural politics. Some of the significant works he produced during this time included composition VII done in 1931 and rated as the best piece of painting work he had ever done. He worked with other artists in reforming arts and museums. In the whole of this time, he reduced his painting activities and spent more of his time on teaching art (Desmond, 2011, 113). He focused on the analysis of color and form. He together with others took part in the organization of the Institute of Artistic Culture in Moscow. Kandy had his work receiving heavy influence from music. He called the works he was doing “compositions” because he saw them as music. He was seen by many as having a synaesthesia that exerted a lot of influence on his painting and the general style he used in a big manner. He wanted his at to appeal to the ears and eyes all together although it was visual. His art was abstract because of the sounds he received from the colors (Kandinsky, Sadler, 2007, 10). Significance of Kandinsky’s works Kandinsky’s works are considered as very important in the history of art because of the contribution he made. He was among the most influential painters in his generation. He is respected for being among the very first people to explore the principles of non representation otherwise called pure abstraction. He opened the way for the biggest school of painting after the Second World War known as abstract expressionalism. He also exerted his influence on the art of the 20th century through teaching and being a theorist. His ideas went all over Europe through his publication of the first theoretical treatise on abstraction on spiritual art (Desmond, 2011, 113). Kandinsky found school to be very easy because while in this he started standing out as a theorist and painter. At the start of the 20th century he increased the volume of his paintings. His work remains significant because of its quality and impression on people’s minds. He initiated the way in painting and was seen by many as a role model especially through his ideas. Many of his paintings have been preserved to date especially the towns and landscapes he did. He made use of forms that can easily be recognized and wide color swaths. His dedication to his work made him a much respected member in the world of art. As a result his works have been used by many as an example of high quality pieces of artwork. His ideas have continued to chart the way of art around the globe for many years (Janson, Janson, 2004, 24). In the last many years, Kandinsky’s theoretical artworks have been the place where scholars and historians of art go to get their information from. They look at these works as a reliable source of historical information especially on those things happening during Kandinsky’s generation. Critics have for years ignored his paintings and many people have continued to propagate the view that Kandinsky was a very crucial person in history and theorist because of his works. Kandinsky was the first most important artist to do experiments on abstract art. He was the only artist around 1910 that successfully came up with a coherent style (Elger, 2002, 21). Lasting Influence Kandinsky’s paintings had a lot of influence on other artists and the lovers of his art work. Most of these works continue to have influence on the artists of today even though they have been around for many years (Janson, Janson, 2004, 214). He is credited with pioneering abstract art. Apart from painting he had a lot of influence as an art theorist. He left a lot of influence on Western art in the form of his theoretical works more than he did in his paintings. As he wrote in the treatise and the Blue Rider Almanac about the spiritual in art he defended and promoted abstract art and he also affirmed that every art form had the capability of getting to the spirituality level. The artworks introduced new and powerful ideas into the art world of his time. This paintings and other artwork displayed a lot of creativity. The belief that color could be applied in a work of painting in a manner that it exists as an independent aspect distinct from the visual appearance of the object impacted the international scene almost immediately especially in countries where English was being spoken (Düchting, 2000, 90). His influence was further felt since he played a very important role in a movement that set painting free from representational service. His works pioneered the visual arts industry and their influence spread and affected so many artists to date. He began and experimented with all of his abstract paintings. The influence of his work went far and was found to be very decisive because of the quality found in them. His work progressed in harmony and became stronger with time in spiritual strength from lyrical color outbursts to becoming a perfect organization dealing in architecture and a vigorous testing for forms that are invented to becoming a powerful cosmic synthesis (Janson, Janson, 2004, 214). The great works of Kandinsky could only be compared to impressionism while others are similar to Fauves. For example in 1903, the very influential piece of work by name Der Blaue Riter appears through an unclear perspective of an impressionist piece of art. Kandinsky’s works are great inspiration to artists today because many of his paintings have been preserved and are being used as a source of ideas for painters (Aronov, 2006, 78). The degenerate Art Exhibition in Munich shows many of Kandinsky’s works. The Kandinsky awards in Russia shows the influence of his works by rewarding artists. In the Guggenheim’s wide collection of Kandinsky’s works in New York, his pictures are kept there to be emulated by upcoming artists. Conclusion In conclusion, the essay has examined the artistic works of a Russian born painter and art theorist called Wassily Wassilyevich Kandinsky and the significance and contribution of his work to art. Although he did a lot of painting, he also touched on music and book authorship. The greatest inspiration for Kandinsky’s work was found in culture. He loved cultural forms and was particularly fascinated by music and colors. He also responded to technological and political issues through his painting. His works were favored by history and considered very important because of the ideas and style he chose to follow. He presented the abstract expressionist ideas through his works. He played the role of a pioneer through his compositions. Kandinsky’s work had lasting influence because his ideas spread widely in the Western world and today his followers still hold on to them. He made so many good paintings of landscapes, towns and cities that have been preserved to this day. They are used by contemporary visual artists as inspiration fro their work. References Aronov, I., 2006. Kendinsky’s Quest: A study in the Artists Personal symbolism. Peter Lang. Barasch, M. 1998. Modern Theories of Art 2: From Impressionism to Kandinsky. NYU Press. Desmond, K. 2011. Ideas About Art. John Wiley. Düchting, H. 2000. Wassily Kandinsky, 1866-1944: A revolution in Painting. Taschen. Düchting, H., 2008. Wassily Kandinsky. Prestel. Elger, D. 2002. Expressionism: A revolution in German Art. Taschen. Janson, H., Janson, A. 2004. History of Art: The Western Tradition. Prentice Hall Professional. KandinskY, W., Lindsay, K., Vergo P.1994. Kandinsky, Complete Writings in Art. Routledge. Kandinsky, W., Sadler, M., 2007. The Art of Spiritual harmony. Cosimo Inc. Short, C. 2009. The Art Theory of Wassily Kandinsky, 1909-1928: The Quest for synthesis. Peter Lang. Read More

At one time in his life Kandinsky displayed his fascination and inspiration with culture by comparing painting with music composition in a way that he can be noticed. He likened the keyboard to color, the eyes to the harmonies and the soul to a piano that has several strings (Düchting, 2008, 54). He likened the artist to the hand playing the keys to make vibrations take place in the source. In 1896 Kandinsky saw the paintings made by Monet (Short, C. 2009, 31). The style of Haystacks in the painting impressed him a lot because of the strong sense of color that he saw in it.

Kandinsky also responded to music especially the works of Richard Wagner in Lohengrin. He saw this work as pushing the melody and music limits farther than standard lyricism. His work was also informed by cultural artists such as Blavatsky who was a specialist in theosophy. He also received a lot of visual influence from the illustrations of John Varley in his work called “Thought forms.” Between 1918 and 1921, Kandinsky was dealing with Russian cultural politics. Some of the significant works he produced during this time included composition VII done in 1931 and rated as the best piece of painting work he had ever done.

He worked with other artists in reforming arts and museums. In the whole of this time, he reduced his painting activities and spent more of his time on teaching art (Desmond, 2011, 113). He focused on the analysis of color and form. He together with others took part in the organization of the Institute of Artistic Culture in Moscow. Kandy had his work receiving heavy influence from music. He called the works he was doing “compositions” because he saw them as music. He was seen by many as having a synaesthesia that exerted a lot of influence on his painting and the general style he used in a big manner.

He wanted his at to appeal to the ears and eyes all together although it was visual. His art was abstract because of the sounds he received from the colors (Kandinsky, Sadler, 2007, 10). Significance of Kandinsky’s works Kandinsky’s works are considered as very important in the history of art because of the contribution he made. He was among the most influential painters in his generation. He is respected for being among the very first people to explore the principles of non representation otherwise called pure abstraction.

He opened the way for the biggest school of painting after the Second World War known as abstract expressionalism. He also exerted his influence on the art of the 20th century through teaching and being a theorist. His ideas went all over Europe through his publication of the first theoretical treatise on abstraction on spiritual art (Desmond, 2011, 113). Kandinsky found school to be very easy because while in this he started standing out as a theorist and painter. At the start of the 20th century he increased the volume of his paintings.

His work remains significant because of its quality and impression on people’s minds. He initiated the way in painting and was seen by many as a role model especially through his ideas. Many of his paintings have been preserved to date especially the towns and landscapes he did. He made use of forms that can easily be recognized and wide color swaths. His dedication to his work made him a much respected member in the world of art. As a result his works have been used by many as an example of high quality pieces of artwork.

His ideas have continued to chart the way of art around the globe for many years (Janson, Janson, 2004, 24). In the last many years, Kandinsky’s theoretical artworks have been the place where scholars and historians of art go to get their information from. They look at these works as a reliable source of historical information especially on those things happening during Kandinsky’s generation. Critics have for years ignored his paintings and many people have continued to propagate the view that Kandinsky was a very crucial person in history and theorist because of his works.

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