Wassily Kandinsky was a deep thinker. He developed theories regarding art. He was fascinated by color as a child. In later life he pursued color psychology and symbolism.
It is said that on a trip to a region north of Moscow he was deeply touched by the decoration used on the outside of the houses and churches in the area. The shimmering colors gave him a surreal feeling as if he was entering a painting. He enjoyed the folk art of the region and their use of bright colors on a dark background, which is reflected in his earlier work.
Kandinsky believed that creating music was very much like creating a painting. “Music is the ultimate teacher.” “Color is the keyboard, the eyes are the hammer, the soul is the piano with the strings.”
Kandinsky was also spiritually influenced by Theosophy, a theory that postulates that creation is a geometrical progression, beginning with a single point, a descending series of circles, triangles and squares…this gave Kandinsky’s artwork a feeling of hieroglyphics floating about in his geometric compositions.
In my reading, I can only begin to try to understand Kandinsky and his theories. I have read about his belief that pigments are pure color, of his desire to create vibration in the eyes of the viewers of his artwork and of his concern with creating a spiritual resonnance and communion in both artist and viewer. His theory, “Inner Necessity,” speaks of his devotion to the spiritual…inner beauty, fervor of spirit, and deep spiritual desire…all central to his being and his art. His writings speak even more of his thoughts on art. They are quite lengthy, but are excellent reading if you want to further understand what made him tick!