Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944)

As with the majority of Kandinsky's early colour woodcuts, executed in Munich between 1902 and 1904, Die Nacht was printed in the Japanese manner from apparently two blocks. Kandinsky probably applied watercolours with a stencil to the colour block, and thereby achieved the subtle effect of hand-colouring. The line block was subsequently printed in black on top. The colours in the present woodcut are similar to the impression of the same state in the Lenbachhaus in Munich (Gabriele Münter- und Johannes Eichner-Stiftung, inv. no. 194; see Roethel no. 6d, ill.).

Die Nacht, with its jewel-like quality reminiscent of cloisonné enamel, and flattened, sinuously delineated forms, encapsulates Kandinsky's Jugendstil period. Kandinsky's chosen medium of woodcut in these early years forced him to simplify his composition and to concentrate on the essential elements of the image. These woodcuts thus played a crucial role in his artistic development, from the decorative manner of the Jugendstil to complete abstraction.

In a letter of 15 October 1904, Kandinsky mentioned rather en-passant to his companion Gabriele Münter that the lady in medieval court dress represented his love for her: "In Paris habe ich Holzschnitt 'Die Dame' (meine Liebe für dich vorstellend) verkauft." (Archiv der Gabriele Münter- und Johannes Eichner-Stiftung, Munich.) The preparatory gouache for this print was however the first work he ever gave to her.