Vignette next to "Chalk and Soot" (Vignette bei "Kreide und Russ") (headpiece, folio 48) from Klänge (Sounds)

Vignette next to "Chalk and Soot" (Vignette bei "Kreide und Russ") (headpiece, folio 48) from Klänge (Sounds) is a powerful example of early abstraction by Vasily Kandinsky. Created in 1913, this work is not a standalone drawing but a woodcut print, forming one of the fifty-six illustrations within the important artist’s book, Klänge (Sounds). This ambitious project combined Kandinsky's experimental, highly abstract poetry with his evolving visual language, showcasing his rapid movement toward purely non-objective art.

The choice of medium, woodcut from an Illustrated Book, was crucial. The technique allowed Kandinsky to produce stark, dynamic compositions marked by sharp contrasts and dense black forms set against the white paper of the page. This graphic intensity emphasizes the expressive power inherent in his non-representational elements. Although Kandinsky was primarily associated with the German Expressionist group Der Blaue Reiter in Munich, this specific print and its classification highlight the significant influence and dissemination of his radical concepts within the broader European art world, specifically the French cultural sphere, during the critical 1913 period. Klänge served as a vital artistic statement, utilizing abstraction and poetry to explore the concept of "synesthesia"—the link between color, form, and sound.

As a headpiece (folio 48), the function of this vignette was to visually introduce or accompany the textual section titled "Chalk and Soot." Kandinsky’s abstract design employs simplified, almost chaotic elements that suggest energy and internal movement rather than depicting recognizable objects. The composition pushes the boundaries of representation, characteristic of the breakthrough works he produced in 1913. This specific print exemplifies the crucial shift toward purely non-objective expression that defined Kandinsky’s subsequent career. The work is held in the renowned collection of the Museum of Modern Art, preserving its contribution to the history of the modern Illustrated Book and abstract prints.