Title page from Verses Without Words (Stichi bez slov)

The Title page from Verses Without Words (Stichi bez slov), created by Vasily Kandinsky in 1903, marks an early, pivotal moment in the artist's exploration of graphic abstraction. This specific piece is a woodcut title page, produced as part of an ambitious portfolio that included twelve primary woodcuts, a table of contents, a supplementary plate, and a colophon. Created during a significant phase of his artistic development, the work demonstrates Kandinsky's initial mastery of the printmaking process, utilizing the stark contrasts and dynamic lines inherent in the woodcut technique.

Though the artist, Kandinsky, is widely recognized for his Russian origins and his foundational role in German Expressionism, the cultural classification associated with this work suggests the influence or circulation of this graphic portfolio within French artistic circles during the early 20th century. The production of the title page and the full suite of Verses Without Words (Stichi bez slov) in 1903 occurred while Kandinsky was synthesizing Symbolist ideas with nascent avant-garde printmaking. These early prints show a clear transition from narrative figuration toward symbolic forms, preparing the ground for his revolutionary shift to complete non-objectivity that would soon follow. The aesthetic of this print, characterized by simplified forms and expressive energy, serves as an essential index to the thematic complexities contained within the complete suite.

As a rare example from this period, this specific impression of the woodcut is classified formally as a print and resides within the distinguished collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Studying these early prints, such as the title page from the 1903 portfolio, provides crucial insight into the stylistic evolution of the artist. The preservation of these highly experimental works ensures that this foundational moment in modern art history remains accessible for scholarship and public appreciation.