Kandinsky Complete Prints
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,Graphic Design
Kandinsky Complete Prints Details
As the renewer of art in the 20th century, Wassily Kandinsky created roughly 230 woodcuts, linocuts, et?chings, lithographs and posters. From 1 901 until the final years of his life, his work was accompanied by a steady output of prints, some of which were based on previously created paintings, and some of which were completely independent works of art. Nearly his complete oeuvre is presented in this book accom?panying an exhibition at the St,dtische Galerie Len bachhaus in Munich. For the first time ever the entire graphic works of Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1 944) is presented in an ex?tensive exhibition (from Oct 25th, 2008 ? Feb 22nd, 2009).
Reviews
Firstly it has to be said this has been a very good year for Kandinsky. Notably 3 exhibitions of 100 of his large oil paintings in Munich, Paris and New York. But this much smaller scale exhibition "Kandinsky - Das Druckgrafische Werk" (never seen outside Germany) was a truly amazing effort on the part of the Curators of the Lenbachhaus Museum to display every one of his prints in the order they were produced and - very important for those who could not be there in person - celebrate this event by publishing a catalogue which in itself is a beautiful work of art.For the first time we get to see these prints in their true muted colours - not the crude brightened versions which have done a huge disservice to his intended message (and artistic reputation) in the past. I'm especially thinking of what I thought was a great catalogue for the Royal Accademy's 1999 Exhibition - "Kandinsky, Watercolours and other Works on Paper". On the basis of Melanie Horst's 100% accurate colour reproductions one now knows every print reproduction in the RA catalogue was degraded by the Italian printers. The dull red hues Kandisky prefered usually made bright scarlet. In several cases his blues changed to violet. His pale yellows invariably sunshine yellow."The Complete Prints" is also a unique Kandinsky publication because wherever possible every print is shown in its original size. Most importantly (in this catalogue) every print includes its original vellum borders. To use the old cliche - the difference when compared to all previous renditions of these prints is "between chalk and cheese".For instance to see his 1922 "Lithograph for the Fourth Bauhaus Portfolio" in its true colours and original large format is a major revelation. Showing just how quickly Kandinsky regained his "mojo" at the Bauhaus when returning to Germany after 8 fallow Russian refugee years.Backing-up the perfect visual presentation there is of course all the explanatory documentation one expects from the expert Curators of the Lenbachhaus Munchen. But not too serious to resist adding a perfect human touch on the final page. A small photo of Kandinsky on his bicyle riding through the countryside near Murnau - from which he derived so much inspiration and happiness in the company of Gabriele Munter.This would appear to be the very first Kandinsky book which does complete justice to one aspect of his vast output. When ALL his works are published (especialy the waterclours) to the incredibly high standard set by this beautiful volume - to quote the words of Diego Rivera - "Someday Kandinsky will be the best known and best loved of men".