Couple Riding (1906)  by Wassily Kandinsky

Couple Riding

1906

Divisionism

Oil on canvas

21.7 × 19.9" (55.0 × 50.5 cm)

Munich, The Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus

In this work, Kandinsky experiments with one of the techniques of Neo-Impressionism — Pointillism or Divisionism (the separation of color into distinct dots). During this period, the artist was actively searching for his own artistic language. Abstraction is still far off here; the piece is closer to Symbolism. However, his bold experiments with color and form are as evident as ever.

An embracing couple on horseback against a distinctly Russian landscape (traditional costumes, birch trees, recognizable domes and turrets across the river, and so on) looks like an illustration from a Russian fairy tale book. The subject itself is invented, not based on any particular tale, although it certainly could be. This was probably the idea — to portray the traditional and folkloric through very modern means.

5 comments

May 12, 2018
Elizabeth, USA: Stunning - it glows. How have I lived all these years and never seen this?
October 05, 2016
Tino Ramirez from Maili, Hawaii: What a gorgeous, spiritual painting. His genius was beginning to manifest.
June 16, 2014
Jordana Bevan from England: it should be called Wolfgang Bushpig
June 20, 2011
James from UK: Makes me think about Rimsk-Korsakov's "Kitezh". So beautiful!
April 20, 2011
Giordano from Switzerland: Best painting ever

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