1. 2009
Internal Assessment Resource
Level 3
Subject Reference: Art History 3.4 Art History
Achievement Standard 90493 v2
Examine a Theory and its role in art.
Topic: Wassily Kandinsky’s theories on Art
Credits: 4
Student Instruction Sheet
You have been invited to contribute to an on-line art journal. Your job is to examine a theory from Der
Blaue Reiter artist Wassily Kandinsky. You are required to select a theory and outline its main
principles and then demonstrate how these are visible in two paintings. You will then explain
the relationships between the art works and the theory and evaluate the significance
of the theory on the development of his own style and the style of other artists.
You will have three hours of class time and complete the assessment activity as well as homework over four
weeks.
This assessment is to be handed in no later than Monday, June 29, 2009 before Period 1 at
student reception. Failure to do so will result in a Not Achieved being awarded.
There are four tasks in this assessment. All work must be typed for this assignment.

2. Task 1: Select a theory
Kandinsky wrote a number of essays and articles related to his thoughts on art. One book he wrote
was titled Concerning the Spiritual in Art. In the book he outlines a number of theories
which include:
• The Spirituality of Art
• The Apocalypse in Art
• Ideas on Colour Theory
• The relationship between music and Art
• The Abstraction of Art
You must select one of the above theories to examine for this assignment. You may choose to read through the
resources available first before making your decision.
Task Two: Outline the theory
Use the following chart as a template in which you will outline the main principles (at least four)
of the theory, find quotes from Kandinsky within the theory and provide a brief explanation of
the quote in your own words, and provide footnotes as to where you found the information to
inform your ideas.
Kandinsky’s theory on … Brief explanation Footnotes
Main principle #1 “Insert Quote here” and explain Cite where you found the
what it means information for the previous two
columns (eg. book, handout, web…)
Main principle #2 “Insert Quote here” and explain Cite where you found the
what it means information for the previous two
columns (eg. book, handout, web…)
Etc. Etc. Etc.

3. Task Three: Evidence of the theory in art works
Annotate copies of two of Kandinsky’s works to demonstrate how that theory is evident
in his work. You must consider what meaning or effect is created by using arrows and lines to
illustrate the points you have identified around the outside the work. An example is provided below. Please make
sure the image is in colour.
Artwork 1 Title
Date/Artist name (eg. Kandinsky)
Example of the
size
artist’s use of…
represents …
This is another
example of … which
is important
because…
Example of the
artist’s use of…
represents …
Example of the artist’s use
of…represents …
This is another example of …
which is important because…
Task Four: Explain the relationships between the theory and the art works
For each of your two selected art works, write a paragraph in which you
explain the relationship between the theory and the selected art work.
Consider the following questions when writing your paragraphs.
• What is the meaning of the work as a whole?

4. • How the theory is used to convey that meaning?
Task Five: Drawing Conclusions
In a 500 word (min.) essay, evaluate the significance of this theory on the
development of the artist’s own art work and the art work of other artists of the period, or
of the movement. You will need to include and reference additional images here.
Checklist for handing in:
 The outline of your selected theory in chart form with footnotes (for Achieved).
 Two labelled images which indicate evidence of the application of the theory (for Achieved).
 Two paragraph explanations of the relationships between the theory and art works –one for
each of your selected artworks (for Merit).
 An evaluative conclusion (for Excellence).
 A reference list/bibliography (for Achieved).
Resources
On Kandinsky
• Ulrike Becks-Malorny: Kandinsky Taschen, 2007 (In the Art Dept)
• Hajo Düchting: Kandinsky Taschen, 2000 (In the Art Dept)
• Wolf-Dieter Dube: The Expressionists Thames and Hudson, 1972 (In the Art Dept)
• Peter Selz: German Expressionist Painting University of California Press, 1957 (In the Art Dept)
• Frank Whitford: Kandinsky : watercolours and other works on paper Thames and Hudson, 1999
(Central Library)
• Arnold Schoenberg: Wassily Kandinsky : letters, pictures, and documents, translated by John C.
Crawford, Faber & Faber, 1984 (Central Library)
• Anna Moszynska: Abstract Art, Thames & Hudson, New York, 1990 (Central Library)
• Amy Dempsey: Styles, schools and movements : the essential encyclopaedic guide to modern art
Thames & Hudson, 2005 (Central Library)
By Kandinsky
• The Blue Rider Almanac (if you can find it, excerpts available in the Art Dept)
• Concerning the Spiritual in Art, 1977 Trans MTH Sadler Diver New York Art Dept (Available on-line
and at Central Library)

5. Internet sites to look at:
• http://www.schoenberg.at/4_exhibits/asc/Kandinsky/Farbe_e.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wassily_Kandinsky#Concerning_the_spiritual_in_art
• http://www.tau.ac.il/arts/projects/PUB/assaph-art/assaph5/articles_assaph5/leshem.pdf
• http://quote.robertgenn.com/auth_search.php?authid=56
• http://www.rollins.edu/Foreign_Lang/Russian/kandin.html
• http://uncleeddiestheorycorner.blogspot.com/2007/04/kandinskys-color-theories.html
In order to gain :
• An Achieved grade, you must complete both task two and task three
• A Merit grade you must complete tasks two, three and four
• An Excellence grade you must complete all tasks.
Achievement Criteria
Achievement Achievement with Merit Achievement with Excellence
• Outline a theory related to art. • Explain the relationship • Evaluate the significance of a
between a theory and art theory for the art of a
works. particular artist(s), period or
movement.
• Demonstrate how the theory is
evident in art works.