Crinolines 1909

Wassily Kandinsky created this oil on canvas painting called ‘Crinolines’. This Russian artwork shows a garden party, likely of the aristocracy, since Crinoline dresses were expensive and cumbersome to wear. Although it is a landscape painting, the main focus is on the representation of the social event. Kandinsky uses abstracted and symbolic language with a palette of pure, bright colours that are laid next to each other to create vibrant contrasts. The lack of depth and the flattening of space are artistic statements characteristic of the avant-garde art of the early 20th century. Kandinsky’s aim was to liberate painting from the need to represent real objects, moving towards complete abstraction. He saw art as having the potential to purify society and bring about a better world. To understand the artist's intentions more clearly, visit our library and archives, and compare this work with other avant-garde paintings of the period.