Several Circles - Wassily Kandinsky

A seminal work of geometric abstraction by Wassily Kandinsky, featuring a constellation of colourful circles against a dark, atmospheric background.

Painted in 1926, Several Circles represents a period in the career of Wassily Kandinsky when he explored the relationship between geometric forms and colour. During his tenure at the Bauhaus, Kandinsky moved away from the spontaneous expressionism of his earlier work toward a more disciplined, analytical approach to composition. This painting features numerous circles of varying sizes and colours suspended against a dark, atmospheric background.

The artist uses the circle as a primary motif, treating it as a self-contained unit that interacts with others through overlapping and transparency. Some circles appear solid, while others are translucent, creating a sense of depth and movement. The large, dominant blue and black circle near the centre acts as a gravitational anchor for the smaller, lighter spheres that drift across the canvas. Kandinsky believed that geometric shapes possessed inherent spiritual qualities, and here he uses them to construct a visual rhythm that avoids direct representation of the physical world.

The dark, nebulous background provides a stark contrast to the bright, saturated hues of the circles. This choice of palette emphasises the luminosity of the forms, which seem to glow as if suspended in space. The composition is carefully balanced, yet it retains a sense of fluidity. By arranging these shapes, Kandinsky invites the viewer to consider the interaction of colour, form, and space as an independent language of art. This work is a clear example of his theoretical writings, where he argued that the non-objective image could communicate ideas and emotions through pure visual elements.