Untitled, from XXe Siècle 1939

This untitled print was made by Wassily Kandinsky, and published in the review XXe Siècle. It's a color woodcut, meaning that each color was printed from a separate block of wood that was carved away, inked, and then pressed onto paper. The woodcut process is key to understanding this image. Note how the edges of the shapes are slightly rough, with a palpable texture created by the wood grain. The directness of this approach, a conscious choice by Kandinsky, is far from the traditional refinement of painting. Instead, it suggests an aesthetic aligned with the populist appeal of printed media. This wasn't the only time Kandinsky sought the visual language of the everyday. Throughout his career, he embraced graphic design, textiles, and even stage design. By understanding the materials and making of this print, we can challenge conventional ideas about fine art, and appreciate the artist’s engagement with multiple modes of production.