Oriental (Orientalisches) (plate, folio 18) from Klänge (Sounds)

Oriental (Orientalisches) (plate, folio 18) from Klänge (Sounds) by Vasily Kandinsky is an exemplary woodcut created in 1913, illustrating the artist’s dramatic shift toward pure abstraction. This specific print is one plate within Kandinsky's celebrated illustrated book, Klänge (Sounds), which comprised fifty-six woodcuts interspersed with the artist’s own poetic texts. The work marks a vital period of experimentation for Kandinsky as he developed his theoretical framework for non-objective art, where form and color corresponded to spiritual and auditory experiences.

The medium of the woodcut allowed Kandinsky to employ stark contrasts and graphic intensity. Unlike earlier printmaking traditions, this technique provided the expressive freedom necessary to render the dynamic, often turbulent, compositional elements characteristic of his emerging abstract style. Although the title Oriental (Orientalisches) hints at a thematic inspiration, the resulting image moves beyond specific depiction, relying instead on sharp diagonals, intersecting curves, and bold juxtapositions of black and white to communicate emotional rhythm. Kandinsky sought to utilize the immediacy of the graphic medium to demonstrate how lines and shapes could evoke sensations akin to musical notation.

The production of Klänge in 1913 placed it at the forefront of the European avant-garde, particularly within the French cultural sphere where sophisticated print publishing helped disseminate radical new artistic concepts. This powerful piece of graphic design is classified as an Illustrated Book and is preserved in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Works like this early 20th-century woodcut remain influential; high-resolution images and prints are often available through public domain initiatives, ensuring that Kandinsky's revolutionary approach to abstraction continues to be studied globally.