Vasily Kandinsky
Vasily Kandinsky, born in Moscow, Russia, in 1866, was a pioneering figure in the Expressionist movement and is often credited with creating one of the first purely abstract works of art. Initially trained in law and economics, Kandinsky shifted his focus to art in his thirties, studying in Munich and later becoming a founding member of the influential Blue Rider group. His work is characterized by vibrant colors and dynamic compositions, reflecting his belief in the spiritual and emotional power of art. Kandinsky's theories on color and form were articulated in his seminal writings, such as "Concerning the Spiritual in Art," which have had a lasting impact on modern art. He spent his later years in France, where he continued to develop his abstract style until his death in 1944.