Kandinsky's COMPOSITION VII

Composition VII ~ 1913

When Kandinsky painted Composition VII, he was living in Munich.  It is said that he planned this painting for months, creating more than 30 preliminary sketches in various mediums.  Each preliminary sketch built toward his final painting.  All that planning, all the sketches......and, when it came time to put brush to canvas, he painted this composition in just three days.  

Some art historians suggest that this painting was influenced by biblical themes.  He definitely used color as a means of exerting influence upon the viewer, and he believed that abstract forms could express feelings in a way that cannot be achieved through traditional painting.

Like looking at clouds and seeing shapes that remind us of something, in this painting I see a woman holding a baby, what could be the frets and strings of a guitar, and, again, there is a blue dome left center.  If we want to incorporate silliness, my eyes see a little chicken with an orange beak wearing a hat to the far right center.  The painting's center looks like an eye looking right at me, like it's daring me for a reaction.  I see wavy lines and geometric shapes, and on the very bottom left I see a cup or small bowl.  

Research shows that Kandinsky was a perfectionist with an insatiable artistic curiosity.  He worked tenaciously to find absolute balance.  He did this by experimenting with new materials and processes.  He prepared his backgrounds, sometimes using scrambled eggshells. 

Kandinsky saw the modern world as having lost its spirituality and thought that art could lead to a spiritual awakening.  He believed that in order to feel the soul, the world must turn away from materialism and start imitating nature.  Kandinsky said:  "The nightmare of materialism, which has turned the life of the universe into an evil, useless game, is not yet past; it holds the awakening soul in its grip."

Composition VII is housed at the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.

.......There are questions we can ask ourselves when viewing an abstract painting:

• What's my first impression?  my immediate reaction to the artwork?
• What do I feel when I look at it?  Does it stir any specific emotion?
• What elements do I find most appealing?  Am I drawn to specific colors, shapes, lines or textures?
• What are the dominant colors, shapes and textures?  Identify the key visual components of the piece.
• How does the title influence my interpretation?
• What historical or cultural context might be relevant?
• What does the artwork make me think about?  Does it trigger any specific memories, thoughts or ideas?
• What does the artwork tell me about the artist?
• Does the artwork make me feel more connected to life?   In what way?
• Are my feelings elevated by the piece?
• Would I like to own this piece of art?  Would I like to have it displayed in my home?
• What one question would I ask the artist?
• What five words would I use to describe this artwork?
• What does the work tell me about the human experience?

Think of abstract art as being about the way things look and feel, rather than what they are.  It doesn't have to look like a tree, a person or a landscape.  Anyone can appreciate abstract art.  All one needs is an open mind, a sense of acceptance and a little imagination.  For sure, Kandinsky's approach disrupted the art world when it abandoned realistic representation of subject matter.