The Veil (Der Schleier) (headpiece, folio 54 verso) from Klänge (Sounds)

The Veil (Der Schleier) (headpiece, folio 54 verso) from Klänge (Sounds) by Vasily Kandinsky is a pivotal example of graphic art produced during the nascent period of abstraction. Created in 1913, this work is one of fifty-six woodcuts that comprise the illustrated book, Klänge (Sounds), which Kandinsky designed, wrote, and published. The book itself combines the artist's theoretical poetry with his visual vocabulary, reflecting his profound belief in the synthesis of senses, often known as Synesthesia.

The technique of the woodcut allowed Kandinsky to pursue bold, simplified forms and stark contrasts, characteristics central to his rapidly evolving abstract style. Unlike some of his contemporaneous oil paintings, which utilized vast, fluid color fields, this particular piece relies on the powerful interplay of black and white lines and carefully shaped negative space. The medium emphasizes the expressive potential of line, often depicting abstracted figures or landscapes that border on pure non-representation. The specific inclusion of The Veil (Der Schleier) as a headpiece suggests its function in visually structuring and punctuating the literary content within Klänge.

Though Kandinsky was primarily associated with German Expressionism through the Der Blaue Reiter group, the international reach of works like this resonated powerfully across European cultural centers, including the French avant-garde, during the crucial 1913 period. The production of illustrated books and high-quality prints allowed his radical approach to abstraction to reach a wider audience beyond the traditional gallery space. This particular print provides scholars and the public an essential view into Kandinsky's total artistic vision, demonstrating his mastery across both literary and graphic arts. As an integral component of his early mature oeuvre, the woodcut resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).