Kandinsky

by Michael Robinson

Bringing the life and works of the great painter to life, Kandinsky explores the extraordinary output of one of Russia’s most well-known and influential artists. This book follows his artistic development, from the early folk art inspired by his native Russia, via his involvement with both Der Blaue Reiter (‘The Blue Rider’) group and the Bauhaus, where he taught for several years, to the later abstract paintings that are so recognizable today. A complex and intriguing character, Kandinsky trained as a lawyer before abruptly turning to art at the age of 30. Although known internationally as the ‘Father of Abstraction’, this was a concept over which he anguished for years, before embracing it in his later work. Both in his writings and in his paintings, Kandinsky’s influence has been enormous. He in turn was influenced by many different movements, from Art Nouveau to Symbolism and Surrealism. This book charts his artistic progress, and is a stunning of an exceptional artist.

Genres: Art

Paperback

First published March 23, 2006

Reviews

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been slowly reading this book over the last several YEARS. It’s 380 pages, but every other page is a picture of one of Kandinsky’s paintings or other creations. I thought it would be a fast read. But the descriptions of the paintings and life of Kandinsky was unlike any other book I’ve read. In fact, until I read the blurb about the author at the end, I thought it had been translated from some other language into English!

I did enjoy it though.