Fragment 2 for Composition Vii by Wassily Kandinsky – 1913 is considered to be the artist’s first non-representational work of art. This painting dates to the late 1890s, in which Kandinsky discovered the philosophy of August Endell, an architect and designer whose theories regarding the values of shape and colour inspired many of his creative endeavors. Inspiring from the idea, Kandinsky began creating spontaneous paintings which he referred to as “Improvisations”. In addition to Fragment 2 for Composition Vii – 1913, another remarkable work that demonstrates his evolution towards non-representation is Blue Mountain (1908-09).
Kandinsky continued painting his improvisations through World War II. One of his most prominent works during this period was Composition X, 1939. Much like Fragment 2 For Composition Vii – 1913, it reflects a move away from typical representation into an artwork that is more expressionistic and intuitive in its composition. By combining colour and motion with a lack of identification with forms in the physical world, Kandinsky arrived at a creative style that challenged viewers to interpret their own meanings within each piece.
