Landscape with Upright White Figure (Landschaft mit aufrechter weisser Figur) (plate, folio 51) from Klänge (Sounds)

Landscape with Upright White Figure (Landschaft mit aufrechter weisser Figur) (plate, folio 51) from Klänge (Sounds) is a significant woodcut created by Vasily Kandinsky in 1913. This work is one of fifty-six original woodcuts included in the artist's seminal illustrated book, Klänge (Sounds), first published in Munich. Executed during a critical phase of his career, the piece exemplifies Kandinsky’s rapid movement away from representation toward pure abstraction, solidifying his role as a pioneer of Modernism in the critical year of 1913.

The powerful, reductive technique of the woodcut medium lends itself perfectly to Kandinsky’s expressive and geometric approach. Utilizing sharp, dynamic black lines against the white of the paper, the artist constructs a fragmented and emotionally charged scene. While the title suggests a literal structure-a standing figure within a natural setting-the resulting forms are highly stylized and simplified, bordering on non-objective art. The composition relies on the interplay of stark contrasts and angular rhythms, reflecting the spiritual or musical resonance that Kandinsky sought to capture through non-representational means, a core principle articulated in his theoretical writings. The deliberate roughness inherent to the woodcut process enhances the expressive power of the image.

The production of Klänge was central to the diffusion of early abstract theory. Although Kandinsky was Russian, the innovative artistic milieu and the international impact of the book resonated strongly within the European avant-garde, aligning with the cultural classification noted as French during this period. The illustrated book format allowed Kandinsky to pair visual exploration with poetic prose, expanding the reach of his theories on color and form. This crucial example of early Modernist graphic arts, demonstrating the potential of the woodcut for bold, abstract expression, is preserved within the esteemed collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Scholars continue to study how these essential prints laid the foundation for subsequent abstract movements in the 20th century.