Vasily Kandinsky was a Russian painter known for his abstract artwork. He was born in Moscow in 1866 and initially studied law, but later became an artist. Though he loved music from a young age, Kandinsky was fascinated by how colors made him feel. He felt that through colors and shapes in his non-representational paintings, he could express feelings and recreate music. Kandinsky believed different colors corresponded to different instruments, like yellow resembling the sound of a trumpet. He viewed painting as similar to composing music, with visual elements serving similar expressive functions as musical notes, tempo, and sounds.

1. Vasily
Kandinsky,
Colors
have Sound

2. His Life
● Kandinsky was born in
Moscow, Russia in 1866
● As a child he loved music
and learned to play the cello
and piano.
● He went to college and
became a Law Professor
however in his 30s he
wanted to become a
professional artist.
● Even though he loves music,
he was always fascinated
with colors and how they
made him feel.

5. His Work
● Kandinsky’s style of art is
abstract. Abstract art is
modern art which does not
represent images of our
everyday world.
● He felt that he could express
feelings and music through
colors and shapes in his
paintings. For example, he
thought the color yellow had
the sound of a trumpet.
● He often compared painting
to creating a music
composition, with lines,
shapes and colors of a
painting being the notes,
tempo and sounds of a
musical piece.

10. Vasily Kandinsky Videos
Make your own
Musical
Kandinsky Art

11. I think Vasily Kandinsky is one of my favorite Abstract Artist. Shh…
don’t tell the others. 😂
I love his bold colors and wild overlapping shapes and lines. It’s
fascinating that he thought colors had sound. For instance, he
thought the color yellow sounds like a trumpet.
When I think of certain colors I think I can imagine them making
sounds as well. Like the color blue making the sound of water or
red make a siren noise.
What about you? Can you think of what sounds colors would make?
Please share your thoughts and ideas on the discussion feed.
Respond on Schoology with a typed response or record
yourself speaking. Have fun!