Wassily Kandinsky (1866–1944) is one of the most revolutionary artists in the history of art. Considered the father of abstractionism , he forever transformed the way we observe and interpret color, form and space. For Kandinsky, art should not represent reality, but express pure emotions , like music.
His works, full of inner meanings and chromatic vibrations, are perfect to be enhanced through the three-dimensional effect of Materico.it , which restores the richness of his brush strokes, the materiality of the signs and the emotional depth.
A Life Between Russia, Germany and France: Biography of a Visionary
Born in Moscow in 1866, Kandinsky studied law before deciding, at the age of 30, to devote himself entirely to art. He moved to Munich, where he came into contact with expressionism and avant-garde movements. Over time, he abandoned figurative painting for pure abstraction , creating works that resembled visual symphonies more than traditional paintings.
Fun fact: Kandinsky was synesthetic: he “felt” colors as sounds. A yellow could seem to him as sharp as a trumpet, a deep blue as a double bass.
Kandinsky's most famous works: a symphony of forms
1. Composition VII (1913)
Considered one of his most complex and significant creations, it is a true explosion of color and movement. There is no recognizable subject, but one feels immersed in an emotional storm controlled by a hidden order.
Fun fact: Kandinsky took only four days to complete it, after months of preparation and over 30 preliminary studies.
2. Yellow-Red-Blue (1925)
A geometric masterpiece that explores the balance between primary colors and pure forms: circles, rectangles, lines and waves. An almost spiritual analysis of visual energy.
Kandinsky compared colors to sounds:
-
Yellow = trumpet blast
-
Red = sound of the violin
-
Blue = organ depth
3. Black Circle (1923)
Work belonging to the phase of “geometric constructivism”. Here, a huge black circle dominates the composition like a planet, immersed in a cosmos made of straight lines, curves and shades.
Curiosity: For Kandinsky, the circle was the perfect shape , a symbol of infinity and interiority.
4. Impression III (Concerto) – 1911
A work influenced by a piano concerto by Arnold Schoenberg that Kandinsky attended. The colors and shapes reflect the sensations experienced while listening.
Fun fact: After that experience, Kandinsky declared that music represents nothing but says everything . Art should do the same.
5. Composition VIII (1923)
One of his most beloved works, characterized by an almost mathematical structure, but lively and dynamic. Straight lines and curves intersect in a space without gravity.
Kandinsky and the hidden meaning of colors
For Kandinsky, each colour had its own personality , capable of evoking different emotions:
-
Blue : spirituality, depth, calm
-
Yellow : vitality, extroversion
-
Red : strength, energy
-
Green : balance
-
Black : fine, absolute silence
- White : beginning, potential
Color, like sound, needs no explanation: it speaks directly to the soul.
Kandinsky and the Bauhaus: Art at the Service of Life
In 1922, Kandinsky joined the Bauhaus , the German school that sought to unite art, design, and architecture. Here he focused on geometric form, visual balance, and art as an element of everyday life.
💡 Fun Fact: During the Bauhaus period, Kandinsky developed his famous theory of color and form, which influenced designers, architects and artists around the world.
Why is Kandinsky still relevant?
-
He is the precursor of abstract painting , a universal language still today.
-
He connected art, music and spirituality like no other
-
His works are accessible to all , because they speak to the soul without mediation.
-
He inspired generations of artists , from Paul Klee to Jackson Pollock
Conclusion: Kandinsky, the painter who painted with his ears
Kandinsky did not just paint pictures: he created a new language , which still resonates in galleries, homes, hearts. His world of shapes and colors is an invitation to see beyond the visible , to perceive what lies behind things.
With the 3D reproductions of Materico.it , it is possible to experience Kandinsky's art in a multisensorial way , immersing yourself in a reality made of harmony, emotion and vibration.
