In order to fully understand the art of Kandinsky, it is important to start with a definition of the word 'Abstract' (for it is not really a concept that we have come across, before in this course). Abstract art does not depict recognizable scenes or objects but instead is made up of forms and colors that exist for their own expressive sake. In short, it abandons the European tradition, the idea of art as the imitation of nature. Kandinsky, in a work known as the 'First Abstract Watercolour'is often cited as the first person to paint an abstract picture. His work, his achievement in the search for a new form of expression in painting and a new conception of art in general, may look as though it has no precursors, however, in his case as with all other artists there are there were many influences which he encountered throughout his career, which had a profound effect on his road to the abstract. We can start with his childhood.
             Kandinsky lived in Russia until he was 30 and his experiences were crucial to his development as an artist. The general impression of his early life in Russia (as with most middle class Russians) must be one of backwardness. He was drawn to a particular class of people, whose main aim was to bring their country up to speed with the rest of Europe. As a result he was made to feel that art was an uncalled for luxury. To try and help his country he decided to study law and political economics at university, however his interest in economics waned after his first real introduction to the arts.
             He once said 'I love painting more than anything'. It is clear that Kandinsky's growth as an artist and intellectual were marked by a rejection of materialism, and a leaning towards spiritualism. Certainly his move towards 'abstraction' was motivated by his avoidance of the material world, brought on by his upbringing.
             Kandinsky was a boy who craved security and a stable home life, however, his parents divorced a...