Vignette next to "A Thing or Two" (Vignette bei "Einiges") (headpiece, folio 23) from Klänge (Sounds)

Vignette next to "A Thing or Two" (Vignette bei "Einiges") (headpiece, folio 23) from Klänge (Sounds) by Vasily Kandinsky is a striking woodcut dating from 1913. This specific impression is one of fifty-six original woodcuts included within the seminal illustrated book, Klänge (Sounds), a pivotal publication that encapsulates the artist’s full embrace of radical abstraction in the early twentieth century.

The work showcases Kandinsky’s dynamic approach to printmaking. He utilizes the stark, reductive power of the woodcut medium to create expressive, often fragmented compositions. Produced during a year of intense innovation, this piece exemplifies the artist’s pursuit of non-objective art and his theoretical belief in synesthesia—the ability to experience the spiritual vibrations of color and form (or sound, in the case of Klänge). Kandinsky uses the severe contrast inherent in black and white to convey a sense of explosive energy, reflecting the fervor of the developing German Expressionist movement with which he was associated, even as the work circulated globally within the contemporary French and German cultural spheres.

The classification of this piece as an Illustrated Book highlights its function not merely as a standalone image but as an integral part of a complex artistic and literary narrative. Klänge was published in Munich and combined these intense visual pieces with Kandinsky’s own highly experimental prose poems. This particular headpiece, situated on folio 23, serves to visually underscore the accompanying literary content, demonstrating the comprehensive artistic project Kandinsky realized in (1913).

Kandinsky’s pioneering efforts cemented Klänge as a landmark achievement in Modernism. This significant example of early modernist prints is currently preserved within the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Due to the historical context and the number of editions produced, high-quality images and prints of works from this series are sometimes found within public domain collections, ensuring their continued accessibility for scholarly research and public appreciation.