Kandinsky

The Father of Modern Art

Wassily Kandinsky

"Color is a means of exerting direct influence on the soul"

Born

On December 16th

In Moscow, Russia

The son of tea merchants, Kandinsky was born to a well off family. He had a robust education which included learning cello and drawing, where he discovered that different colors "lives by its mysterious life"

1866

1886-1892

1901-03

Taught at the Phalanx

Law & Economics

Art school he co-found- it was a group resisted conservative views in art

Studies at the University of Moscow

1919-1933

1911- 1914

Bauhaus

Exhibitions and Chats

He returned to Germany after some travel and began his famous tenure at Bauhaus after getting an invitation from Walter Gropius, the founder.

He became involved in several art groups and movements throughout this life including the Phalanx, NKVM, The Jack of Diamonds, The Blue Rider, and, eventually, Bauhaus.

1944

On December 13th

In Paris, France

Due to political unrest and a lack of funding the Bauhaus closed and the Kandinsky's moved to Paris- he lived in France until his death.

Died

Art & Philosophy

Transcendental expression

Color & Shape as Grammar

He created his own visual vocabulary to capture the depth of human emotion - seeking through art what he considered a universal spirituality.

Fun Facts

Famously Synesthetic

For Kandinsky, sight, colors ,and sound were associated. As such, he developed a deep love for music- especially classical- and his attempts to transcribe sounds through painting inevitably lead to abstraction. He actually briefly abandoned abstract art but returned to it after joining the Bauhaus

Sources: WassilyKandinsky.netWassily-Kandinsky.orgThe Art Story: Wassily Kandinsky Google Arts and Culture: Sounds like Kandinsky

Neat Resources:

There’s actually a Chrome Music Lab inspired by Kandinsky where you can draw sounds. Google Arts & Culture also has a page where you can listen to one of his paintings

Leaving to become an artist

At the age of 30 Kandinsky left his homeland and moved to Germany to become an artist, much to the chagrin of his family back home. He moved to Munich which by that time had built a reputation for exemplary technical training in painting- he started out attending a fancy private school and was taught by Anton Azbe.