Artwork
Improvisation No. 30 (Cannons)
Improvisation No. 30 (Cannons) is an oil painting by the Abstract Expressionist artist Wassily Kandinsky. It dates from 1913 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Painted in 1913, Improvisation No.
About this work
Overview
Painted in 1913, Improvisation No. 30 (Cannons) is an oil-on-canvas work by Wassily Kandinsky, a Russian painter and art theorist. It exemplifies his shift towards non-representational forms.
Subject & Meaning
The title suggests cannons, but the painting's abstract composition doesn't directly depict them. Instead, jagged black lines and vibrant colors evoke a dynamic, turbulent scene, possibly alluding to the turmoil of war.
Technique & Style
Kandinsky employed bold, expressive brushstrokes and a vivid color palette, with thick paint creating a textured, almost three-dimensional effect. The abstract forms and spontaneous application of paint contribute to the work's sense of energy and movement.
History & Provenance
Kandinsky began his formal art training in Munich at age 30. He studied under Anton Ažbe and later at the Academy of Fine Arts, where he also taught before returning to Moscow. This painting is associated with the development of abstract expressionism.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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.
