Small Worlds III - Wassily Kandinsky

A 1922 lithograph by Wassily Kandinsky, featuring a dynamic arrangement of geometric shapes and lines from his Small Worlds portfolio.

Small Worlds III is a lithograph from the 1922 portfolio titled Small Worlds, produced during Kandinsky's tenure at the Bauhaus in Weimar. This collection consists of twelve prints that explore the relationship between geometric forms and free-flowing lines. In this specific composition, Kandinsky arranges a variety of shapes within a central, irregular white field, which is set against a stark black background.

The image features a collection of triangles, circles, and rectangles, interspersed with thin, intersecting lines that suggest movement and spatial tension. Kandinsky employs a primary colour palette, using red, yellow, and blue to create contrast against the monochromatic black and white elements. The arrangement of these shapes avoids traditional perspective, instead relying on the balance of weight and direction to guide the viewer's eye across the surface.

Kandinsky viewed these prints as a method to test the limits of non-objective art. By limiting the medium to lithography, he was able to achieve precise edges and flat areas of colour that define his mature style. The work demonstrates his interest in the musicality of visual elements, where each shape functions as a note within a larger, structured composition. The interplay between the dense, dark areas and the lighter, scattered forms creates a sense of internal rhythm. This print remains a clear example of the artist's theoretical approach to abstraction, where the objective is to communicate through pure form rather than representational imagery. The work is signed by the artist in the lower margin, confirming its status as an original print from the edition.