Not as famous as Winter Landscape, executed in the same technique a year later, this work clearly shows the influence of Fauvism on Kandinsky while simultaneously revealing his tireless quest for his own artistic language. The brushstrokes are confident and broad, the palette bold, and the space is rendered schematically. The pinkish and yellowish snow sparkles in the rays of the setting sun, while the shadows turn deep blue. The composition is intentionally simple so as not to distract the viewer from the main idea.

The summer of 1908, which Kandinsky spent in Murnau with Gabriele Münter, became a turning point for him. The breathtaking beauty of these places, far removed from the bustle of city life, inspired Kandinsky to seek new directions in art. While continuing to closely follow the achievements of the Fauvists, Kandinsky worked diligently and consistently (as was his habit) on his experiments - experiments that would bear fruit in less than a year.

*Sold 8 May 2018 at Christie's, New York, for $5.2 million.

Timeline

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