1866 - 1944 

Russian painter, one of the most important innovators in modern art. Played a pivotal role in the development of abstract art. Belonged to the most influential artists of his generation.

Born in Moscow, December 4, 1866. Studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, Germany, from 1896 to 1900. In 1911, along with Franz Marc and other German expressionists, formed "Der Blaue Reiter" ("The Blue Rider") group (so called for Kandinsky's love of blue and Marc's love of horses). In 1912 published "Concerning the Spiritual in Art", the first theoretical treatise on abstraction, which spread his ideas through Europe. Also taught at the Moscow Academy of Fine Arts from 1918 to 1921 and at the Bauhaus in Dessau, Germany, from 1922 to 1933. Died in Neuilly-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris, on December 13, 1944.

His early paintings were executed in a naturalistic style, but in 1909, after a trip to Paris during which he was highly impressed by the works of the fauves and postimpressionists, his paintings became more highly colored and loosely organized. Around 1913 he began working on paintings that came to be considered the first totally abstract works in modern art; they made no reference to objects of the physical world and derived their inspiration and titles from music. Kandinsky produced both abstract and figurative works during this period, all of which were characterized by brilliant colors and complex patterns. After World War I, Kandinsky's abstractions became increasingly geometric in form, as he abandoned his earlier fluid style in favor of sharply etched outlines and clear patterns. In very late works, he refines this style into a more elegant, complex mode that resulted in beautifully balanced, jewel-like pictures.

Kandinsky was grown-up in Odessa.

Composition VIII

Composition X

Wassily Kandinsky Page
Wassily Kandinsky Page
Wassily Kandinsky Page
Wassily Kandinsky Page
Wassily Kandinsky Page

Wassily Kandinsky Page at the "Odessa Globe" in Russian