Artwork

Landscape with Two Poplars

Landscape with Two Poplars, by Wassily Kandinsky, oil, 1912
Landscape with Two Poplars, by Wassily Kandinsky, oil, 1912

Landscape with Two Poplars is an oil painting by Wassily Kandinsky. It dates from 1912 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Accession no.
8980
Credit line
Arthur Jerome Eddy Memorial Collection

About this work

Two tall poplars stand in the foreground, their trunks dark against the colorful background.

Kandinsky painted bright yellow, red, blue, and green shapes across a landscape scene. Two tall poplars stand in the foreground, their trunks dark against the colorful background. Wavy blue mountains sit near the horizon line.

This picture is from 1912, when Kandinsky was shifting toward abstract art. The colors feel almost musical, like notes on a page. He uses thick paint in some spots, where the brushstrokes stand up off the canvas.

See it in person at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Overview

Landscape with Two Poplars is a 1912 oil-on-canvas painting by Wassily Kandinsky, exemplifying his transitional style towards abstraction.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a landscape with two prominent poplars in the foreground, set against a vibrant background of colorful shapes and wavy blue mountains on the horizon.

Technique & Style

Kandinsky employed a range of colors, including bright yellows, reds, blues, and greens, applying thick paint in certain areas to create textured brushstrokes.

History & Provenance

Created in 1912, the painting is now part of the Art Institute of Chicago's collection.

Context

The work reflects Kandinsky's evolving style during a period when he was moving towards abstraction, characterized by the use of color in a way that evokes musical qualities.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Wassily Kandinsky

Artist

Wassily Kandinsky

Wassily Wassilyevich Kandinsky (16 December 1866 – 13 December 1944) was a Russian painter and art theorist active in Germany during the late Belle Époque and Interwar eras.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Landscape with Two Poplars?

Landscape with Two Poplars was painted by Wassily Kandinsky in 1912.

Where can I see Landscape with Two Poplars?

Landscape with Two Poplars is held by Art Institute of Chicago.

Can I buy a print of Landscape with Two Poplars?

Museum-quality prints of Landscape with Two Poplars are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.