Round Poetry (Runde Dichtung)

Round Poetry (Runde Dichtung) by Vasily Kandinsky is a crucial abstract drawing created in 1933. Classified as a work on paper, the piece utilizes a complex layering of watercolor, opaque watercolor, and pencil, showcasing a delicate interplay between defined line and fluid color washes. This work was produced during a significant transitional phase for Kandinsky, who had relocated to Paris following the closure of the Bauhaus in Germany. Though originally Russian, the cultural classification of this piece as French reflects the artistic environment and influences surrounding him in the early 1930s.

The composition adheres to the geometric abstract vocabulary Kandinsky had refined in the previous decade, prioritizing rational form over the intense emotional expressionism of his early works. The title emphasizes the circular motif that dominates the arrangement, reflecting the artist’s belief that the circle was a symbol of cosmic unity and perfect harmony. Various geometric elements, including fine lines, crescent shapes, and colored discs, are precisely rendered in pencil, establishing a delicate structure before being modulated by controlled applications of paint. Kandinsky demonstrates his technical mastery by blending the spontaneous nature of watercolor with the greater control offered by opaque watercolor, creating depth and definition within the otherwise two-dimensional plane.

This piece exemplifies Kandinsky’s sustained commitment to non-objective art while adapting his style to the nuances of the Parisian avant-garde. Round Poetry maintains a light, almost airy quality inherent in his works on paper from this period. Created during the pivotal 1933 era, this seminal drawing is an important example of European modernism and is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Due to its historical significance and status as a hallmark of late abstract development, high-quality prints of this artwork are frequently sought after for study and display.