The audience was struck by the transition from the apocalyptic intensity of Composition VII to the geometric rhythm of Composition VIII. 'Composition VIII' was painted a decade later, in 1923. It is a logical development of his creative genius and to a certain extent reflects the influence of Suprematism and Constructivism, absorbed during his years in Russia and at the Bauhaus.

In 1926, Kandinsky's major theoretical work, “Point and Line to Plane” was published. Unsurprisingly, most of his canvases from this period are the practical embodiment of his theoretical ideals. However, this is not a literal application, but rather an intuitive and poetic interpretation. As a writer, Kandinsky was consistent and methodical; but when working on canvas with forms and colors, he became sensual and impulsive. He hoped that the audience would perceive his work emotionally as well.

Kandinsky aimed to formulate an abstract language that would evoke strong emotions in the audience, akin to the way music does. “Form itself, even if completely abstract ... has its own inner sound,” he wrote. Kandinsky was looking for a universal law of harmony in the visual arts, one that must be present at the core of every creation — and this mystical belief was reinforced by the painter's own compelling inner strength.

Composition VIII was one of the first paintings bought by Solomon R. Guggenheim. In 1930, Guggenheim visited the Bauhaus, where he bought several paintings by Kandinsky. It was the beginning of a large collection now housed at the Guggenheim Museum in New York.

Yagiz Saglam: Hi, I am currently writing my thesis about "doors" and getting inspiration for my diagram

isabella from michigan: im doing a school report on kandinsky this message wall is so cute

Dennis: My brother is paranoid schizophrenic. His early work from the 1980s is basically this period of Kandinsky. I am 100% sure that he doesn't even know who Kandinsky was as he never graduated school, never studied art and can barely read or write. My brother also used to paint to music.

Kai Simanowski : I have a print of Composition VIII in my living room, looking at it every day. Every day I discovered something “new” in it. In my opinion there is a solar eclipse going on in the background over three mountaintops. While watching the eclipse there is music playing/visualized in rhythms, color and rhythm. The rythm (or tact) is visually depicted with a clock near the middle of the painting. Floating around it are lines, curves and various shapes forming the tune or melody. If this is true, then it is unclear to me if the notes are coming out of the clock, flying around it or just passing by…

chloe from philippines: i wish to be like this artist, creating wonderful artworks with spiritual inspirations!

chloe from philippines: i wish to be like this artist, creating wonderful artworks with spiritual inspirations!

Country Music Artist Steve Zuwala: I found your blog while searching for Blues music. Love your blog! Continued success!

???: An amazing work ? Recently I am interested in paintings, and it is one of the most awesome works I have seen!

Josh: I highly recommend listening to 1920's jazz music while looking at this piece. You san see the painting with a bigger perspective.

jeremy: To me this art is kinda dumb and useless in my opion.

TheBruce in USA: I am a big fan of this painting! I hung a framed 2-ft by 3-ft print in our music room, although I was originally unaware of the artist’s conception of musicality. Now, I can sense that aspect in the painting. Additionally, it is, to me, a representation of the universe after the Big Bang, with matter and energy expanding into to the cold void of space-time under the well-defined physical laws of Nature.

Missy: Hello from Wisconsin, USA..
I am studying graphic design from Rasmussen College in Rockford Illinois.
I enjoyed reading everyone's input on this piece. I am just scratching the surface regarding Art history and art as a whole. I have never truly researched the History of many art pieces. I am starting to understand their meaning! Fun

Bradford McCormick: Comment says: "My 8 year old draws art work like this when he gets really angry"? I would paint Composition VIII if I was who I wish I was and I was happy. Maybe WK's cat helped him paint it? May I note: There is a book from about the same time (1928-31) I would have written if I was who I wish I was: "The Sleepwalkers" by Hermann Broch (I knew Broch's son).

Syed Shams Naqvi: My 8 year old draws art work like this when he gets really angry.

admin: Tom, did you mean this painting?

tom: Excellent website but couldn't find the 1927 painting 'Spitze in Bogen' or any info about its whereabouts..

Marcquis1000: To Sarah, I am in awe of color and interplay between colors and geometric forms which can evoke a complicated ballet of tonal moods/feelings as combined here in Composition VIII, grid-like design.

Marcquis1000
L.A.

Marcquis1000: Liked this answer. I’m going to review/interpret. Thxs. Art is beautiful.

anastasia: The circles and triangles are the brass instruments, the lines are string instruments, the curves and strokes are the wind instruments and colours are the piano. Warmer tones are higher pitches and the cooler tones are lower pitches. His compositions allow you to imagine symphony of the piece.

Sarah: Why? I have to study this artist for my GCSE art class and I hate it. Abstract has to be one of the most annoying types of work there is. OK, I can hear the music when I look at it but that defies the point of art which is to stimulate you visually. Please can anyone suggest another of Kandinsky's work which has more..........visual impact. (btw, this is no hate just my opinion)

VB: This is a good website for kids to learn I have to say myself

Andrew: Of all his paintings this one is my favorite so far. I can see few different landscapes merged into on. Stars and planets, mountains, birds, industrial city. Positive and dynamic.

Christian from California, USA: The only painting I have ever known in the abstract genre. Amazing work.

jack parker from sta august: im bumming over this art work its amazing

Pepe from UK: Es, muy, muy fenomenal!

Rom: What was so loved about his work??

Hayley from New Windsor: Wows! I like this painting and it's was a susscess
.

Jordan from Canada: I've Never seen his art before but I'm drawn into it now. He has inspired my future work. I love his use of color and contrast

Sagar Bhatt from Mississauga, ON, Canada: (*Inspired*) Love it; great artist from a great country.

bella from sydney: what element of design did he use help me PLZZZ

Michael from Ukraine: It's nice to see how beautiful this work is especially as Russia tries to invade our dear city.
I hope things such as this would soon bring us together and finally bring peace

faith howard from comfort : I love this picture because its very different and I like things like that I don't like the same thing all the time I like to see different paintings and drawings . Thats why I liked I liked picture

Jarrod from Canberra: I'm looking for more information on Mimic 2

triston: I love this painting. Its like the inside of my head when listening to music, for I have synesthesia too:)

A. Dimitrova from Russia: This is amazing. It speaks to me

Alexis Maceda from La Paz, Bolivia: Hi, I was wondering if there is an "oficial interpretation" for this painting.

Bern from United States: Very unique piece of art. It supposed to represent music.
Before beginning his art career, kandinsky went to school to become a lawyer. Although,he discovered his love for music, then went to art school

teresa from texas usa: appreciate the remarks. I had mentioned to several people that Kandinsky's work reminded me of music and so now i see why. i am not studying for school, i am pretty old. I love art.

maria from england: i use this picture for my inglish art project and one more time i love this picture

Ember from Canada: I used this picture for my art project! I love this pic!

st from great britan: thanx kathryn you have helped me a lot !

chow from scotland: i really like this picture we did it for a univercity project it is so unique

Kathryn Kij from Cheyenne: Yes, I have studied Kandinsky in school and he would go to the symphony and paint or sketch the music. He used universal shapes and colors that anyone in the world would understand or feel the meaning. For example the colorful grids are the sound of the piano, the circles and triangles are the different brass instruments and the slash marks are the srokes of the strings and the curvy lines are the wind instruments like the flute. The Warmer colors in the yellow to red range are louder nioses and the color tones of greans blues and purples are lower sounds. And he uses composition to draw your eye around the painting so that you can imagine how the whole piece would sound.

Ali from England: Kandinsky supposedly had synesthesia so he wanted to create the painting equivalent of a symphony to stimulate the ears of the observer. Hence the name "composition".

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