The Knights (Les Chevaliers) from Xylographs (Xylographies)

The Knights (Les Chevaliers) from Xylographs (Xylographies) by Vasily Kandinsky is a significant example of the artist's early explorations in graphic media, produced during a pivotal transition in his career. Created in 1907, this print is technically a heliogravure, meticulously produced after the original woodcut, classifying it as an important early printmaking experiment. It was initially included as one of eight images comprising the Xylographies portfolio, which was formally published in 1909.

While Kandinsky is primarily recognized for his foundational role in German Expressionism and the development of pure abstraction in Munich, the portfolio containing this work was rooted in French culture, highlighting the cross-cultural pollination that shaped his Symbolist phase. The inherent graphic simplicity and strong, dark outlines characteristic of the woodcut medium are effectively retained through the heliogravure process, lending the image a forceful dynamism.

The Knights depicts highly stylized figures suggestive of medieval themes or Russian folk motifs. The stark linearity, typical of this 1907 work, focuses on rhythm and symbolic content rather than detailed representation, infusing the scene with an intense, graphic energy. This piece clearly anticipates the profound symbolic weight and emotional expression that would define the artist’s subsequent abstract paintings.

As a critical work documenting Kandinsky's move towards modernist sensibilities, this piece of graphic art is currently held in the prestigious collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York. Though originally published in 1909, the availability of high-quality images of these foundational prints through public domain art initiatives ensures the continued study and appreciation of Kandinsky’s pioneering efforts in modern art.