Fine Art Analysis - On White II

On White II (1923) is an oil painting by Wassily Kandinsky, a Russian-born artist who worked as a law professor before developing his artistic talent in his 30s. This painting is an example of abstract modernism. Some people have observed the painting looks like an explosion of shapes and colors coming from the center of the canvas.

DIRECTIONS

1. Spend a quiet minute or two looking at the artwork. Then, describe what you see. What part stands out the most?

2. Write two adjectives that describe the mood or feeling created in this painting.

3. Choose a specific color or geometric element that catches your eye and explain a symbolic meaning that color/element could hold.

4. Thinking about the subject matter, mood, and symbolic element/s you’ve noticed, what’s a reasonable message this painting delivers to the viewer?

5. Kandinsky famously had synesthesia, a condition that blended his senses of hearing and sight. To Kandinsky, the color red sounded like violins, while yellow sounded like trumpets. He was an “artist who could hear colors,” said Serge Lasvignes, President of the Centre Pompidou. As you observe On White II, what sounds come to mind? Explain your connections.

6. If you were asked by Kandinsky’s representative to give this painting a new name, what name would you choose? Explain your reasoning.