Untitled (First Abstract Watercolor) (1910)

Wassily Kandinsky, a Russian artist, is widely regarded as the father of abstract art and the most recognizable representative of the entire movement. Kandinsky, known as the "founder of Abstract Art," created some of the genre's earliest paintings, including what is thought to be the first authentic piece of the Abstract Art movement. The in dispute piece was his Untitled (First Abstract Watercolor), painted in 1910.

With Untitled, Kandinsky demonstrated his desire to break free from the restrictions placed on including subject matter in artworks. This work showcased aspects and methods that were specific to the emerging genre of Abstract art. Kandinsky's paintings are characterized by vibrant colors and painterly smears, but the expression of strong emotions before a precise representation of reality.

Kandinsky finished this picture in just three days while using watercolors. Kandinsky did make several studies for this piece before starting the final composition, despite his hurry. Kandinsky's skillfully chosen colors, which he knew would accurately depict his emotions at the time, added to the speed that can be perceived in Untitled. Additionally enhancing and emphasizing the turmoil and hurry that are felt when seeing this picture are the lines and forms that were drawn.

The loose and ambiguous lines in this piece of art also make a strong case for abstraction, and at the time they attracted a lot of attention from other artists. Because anything even somewhat detached and unconstrained was acknowledged as a legitimate subject matter inside artworks at the time, Untitled is recognized as a key founder of the Abstract Art movement. Untitled signaled a turning point in European art as it moved away from traditional works of art and toward more abstract and unrestrained compositions.

It was widely agreed that Kandinsky's professional apex and the height of his finest artistic accomplishments occurred between 1910 and 1914. Untitled was thus among the first pieces of art to overtly reject all references to recognizably defined shapes and break free from the restrictions imposed by the representational traditions of Western European painting.

The majority of Kandinsky's work from this time period would go on to prominently depict this idea of perfect freedom.

Artist: Wassily Kandinsky (1866 – 1944)
Date Painted: 1910
Medium: Watercolor and Indian ink and pencil on paper
Dimensions: 49.6 cm x 64.8 cm (19.5 in x 25.5 in)
Where It Is Currently Housed: Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris