Lovers ofmodern art are bound to know his name: Wassily Kandinsky is one of the most important artists of the 20th century. He is considered one of the precursors of abstract art: his canvases feature lines, colorful geometric shapes, and repeated motifs in finely orchestrated compositions.
Born in 1866 in Moscow and died in 1944 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, he developed a passion for art and drawing at an early age. However, he did not begin his training as a painter until the age of 30, and his career as an artist at 35. From his very first paintings, Kandinsky was criticized for his "extravagant" choice of colors. Gradually, he painted increasingly abstract forms and subjects, until he adopted the style that made him famous.
Heavily influenced by music, Kandinsky liked to improvise on his canvases. He associated sounds with colors and saw painting as a musical composition.
Kandinsky lived in Russia, Germany, and France. But no matter which country he was in, he struggled to find his place in artistic circles: out of step with his time, the abstract painter's style was too different from that of his contemporaries. This pioneer, ignored by art galleries during his lifetime, enjoyed posthumous fame thanks to the work of his wife, Nina Kandinsky, who fought to have the painter's talent recognized.
It is largely thanks to her that the Centre Pompidou has a significant collection of works by Wassily Kandinsky. The Paris museum houses and exhibits various paintings, drawings, engravings, and prints. While the Centre Pompidou is closed, some of these works can be admired in exhibitions on modern art, co-produced by the museum.
In addition, the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris also has a few paintings by the abstract painter in its permanent collections.
So now you know where to go to admire the abstract paintings of this renowned artist!
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Kandinsky, The Music of Colors: the exhibition to see (and hear) at the Philharmonie de Paris - our photos
When painting takes its scales and music takes its colors, the Kandinsky exhibition invites itself to the Philharmonie de Paris! From October 15, 2025 to February 1, 2026, "Kandinsky. La musique des couleurs" reveals how the master of abstraction made painting dance to the rhythm of music. A vibrant immersion between paintings, sounds and emotions. [Read more]
