Vasily Kandinsky was one of the most pivotal figures in the development of modernist painting. He was born in the mid 19th-century, and by the time of his death in 1944 he had played a key role in revolutionizing the nature of European painting, and laying the groundwork for future movements. Most significant among his contributions to high modernism are his involvements with the Blue Rider group, Russian constructivism, and the later years of the Bauhaus. By the end of 1910 Kandinsky had developed a purely abstract style--arguably one of the first--in his paintings, particularly the watercolors.
This beautiful book, designed to accompany the first full-scale exhibition of Kandinsky's work in London at the Royal Academy of Arts, traces his development from an unremarkable painter of Russian folk scenes to the geometrically precise and clinical draftsman of the later abstract creations. His image-making culminated during his final years with paintings of strangely micro-organic-looking works. Art historian Frank Whitford's introductory essay charts Kandinsky's career with wonderful lucidity, and is particularly good on the tension between the artist's theory and practice. He is less clear on the significance of the works on paper and outlining Kandinsky's legacy; but perhaps the book will provide the possibilities for just such a reassessment of the painter's standing within the history of modern art. --Jerry Brotton, Amazon.co.uk
168 color illustrations
From Library Journal
This catalog to an exhibition at The Royal Academy, London, contains works on loan from museums worldwide brought together to form a complete picture of the development of Kandinsky's artistry on paperAincluding watercolors, prints, and drawings. The first 86 pagesAdivided into three chronological sections, "Moscow and Munich (1866-1914)," "Moscow and the Bauhaus (1915-1933)," and "Paris (1934-1944)"Aare devoted to an informative and full examination of his life. The text is supported by numerous photographs of him and his works. In the catalog section, the photographs of the works are clear and have good detail and color. There is a full explanation of each work in the rear of the volume, including medium, date, size, and present location, though one wishes that this material were placed closer to the reproductions. Finally, a very useful chronology of Kandinsky's life, a short bibliography, and a short but helpful index round out the text. This beautifully produced and informative work on one of the most important abstract artists belongs in all academic and most public collections.AMartin Chasin, Adult Inst., Bridgeport, CT
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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