Wassily Kandinsky (Russia)

Medium: oil on canvas
Date: c. 1923

On White II by Kandinsky is a colorful and imaginative abstract painting on white canvas. This was Kandinsky’s most famous painting where various abstract geometrical shapes were used to create a noticeable appearance. He listened to music while creating this and his other pieces, which evoked emotions to come out on the canvas. The two main colors used are black and white, but the bright colors will capture anyone’s attention.

Long black points cut through the triangles, squares and other geometrical shapes of various bright colors. This painting is said to represent life and all of the opportunities that are available. The black inside of it represents death and how all of those opportunities can be taken away in an instant. It is currently housed in the Musée National d’Art Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, France.