Comparative Study Fauvistic Themes in Art

Dylan Haertl

This comparative study examines Mark

Rothkos Orange, Red, Yellow and Wassily
Kandinskys Blue Painting as well as his
Black and Violet.

Examine a variety of contemporary theoretical, critical
and methodological approaches used to view and
understand visual images thereby, deepening our
understanding of Rothko's and Kandinskys work and
their significance to visual images and culture.
Andr Derain, 1906, Charing Cross
Bridge, London, National Gallery of Art,
Washington, DC.
Fauvism valued individual expression that
directed experience of his subjects, his emotional
response to nature though the color and form of
the artists work
Mark Rothko: A Retrospective
Art to me is an anecdote of the spirit, and the only means of making concrete the
purpose of its varied quickness and stillness.

- Mark Rothko

Mark Rothko, was an American painter of Russian Jewish descent. Rothko became
an artist in a rather particular moment in history as the outbreak of World War II
circumed the worlds attention. He become virtually unknown as a painter, leading
his financial situation to become exceedingly difficult. Despite these adversities,
Rothko went through a sensational evolution by discovering a new found way to
express his ideas and favor a style of mythological imagery that dominated his work.
This unattachment to typical styles of painting led him to stray off and kindled an
unfamiliar design.

Although Rothko himself refused to stick to any specific art movement, his artwork
Mark Rothko Portrait. Retrieved
follows a distinct pattern of being completely abstract. He was mostly interested in
January 20, 2017
expressing human emotions in his art work such as tragedy and doom.
 Art Style and Techniques Rothkos interest in luminosity compelled him to paint
frequently in watercolor. Through the mid-1940s he was
able to produce remarkable pieces of work using a palette of
grays and earth tones.These impactful colors would later be
used in a powerful series of works that he accomplished in
the last years of his life.

Mark Rothko, Entrance to Subway [Subway Scene],1938, Collection of

Kate Rothko Prizel

Rothkos paintings have constant hits of color, including subtle tints

of red, yellow, and blue. The overriding effect of these whimsical,
semi-organic forms is that Rothko discovers as his newly found
freedom for expression, which stands in striking contrast to the
dramatic but ponderous mythological personae that his previous
works consisted of in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Rothkos
experimentation with Surrealist automatism, and instead of having
to adhere to fixed type of methods, his work become more
centered around his own style. The images that he formed were no
longer confined to separate compartments but move freely within
the surrounding capacity. Mark Rothko, Four Darks in Red, 1958, Whitney Museum of American Art
Wassily Kandinsky
Kandinsky was born in Moscow, Russia. He became a renowned pioneer of
abstract modern art and exploits strong image, memories, and feelings
towards the interrelation of color and form.

A painter, who finds no satisfaction in mere representation, however

artistic, in his longing to express his inner life, cannot but envy the ease with
which music, the most non-material of the arts today, achieves this end. He
naturally seeks to apply the methods of music to his own art.

- Wassily Kandinsky

As a child, Kandinsky enjoyed playing this piano and cello. A skilled

musician, Kandinsky approached color with a symphonic affection. For
Wassily Kandinsky, the ability to use of music and color were inextricably
tied to one another. It was so clear to him, it was this relationship that he
correlated each note with an exact hue. Wassily Kandinsky believed that he
could see connections between music and art seamingly and often
expresses this concept through his works. Through his beliefs and values, Wassily Kandinsky, Dresden, 1933, by
he shows off how his artwork have an effect through his adoration for music. Hugo Erfurth
 Art Style and Techniques

Kandinsky began with constructing realistic pieces that had

been influenced by Russian folk tales. These pieces were
generally landscapes. He then shifted into a impressionist
and abstract motive using bright colors, shapes, bold lines,
and implemented the use of geometrical figures in his works. Wassily Kandinskys 1908 Murnau Dorfstrasse (top
Having a passion for music and artistry he was effective in left) and Wassily Kandinskys Seven Circles 1926
(top right)
expressing feeling or depict musical senses.
Art Style and Techniques
Artist Kandinsky was interested in
exploring colors and shapes within art to
implement into his own pieces.

These technique and style that

Kandinsky had was unlike the
suprematism and constructivism
movements which were popular during
the time period. When he moved to
Paris, he was even more detached from
the accustomed art world. He continued
to paint abstract artwork while others
artists were fixated on cubism and
impressionism.
Wassily Kandinsky. Composition X, 1939
 Mark Rothko
Uses a palette of grays
and earth tones, subtle
tints of red, yellow, and
blue
Stuck to using simple,
blurred and blended
figures that would
take up the entire
area on the canvas.
Captures basic
human emotions
such as tragedy,
gloom and ecstasy
Art Style and Technique Comparisons
Wassily Kandinsky
Both arose from a Russian
culture and were born He correlated each
there. note with an exact
Exemplify an artistic style that hue color
interprets emotions through the use of
color, structure, and placement of
geometric lines and shapes. The use Presented with an unusual
sensitivity to sound known
of color is extremely prevalent in both
as synthesia that enabled
of their artwork. Rothko and Kandinsky
him to literally hear colors
both use vibrant colors to capture the
attention of all aspects of what the
image is. He sought to
Explore the condition of convey profound
abstract work and create spirituality and the
art in their own styles. depth of human
emotion
Black and Violet Description
This paint is called Black and Violet, an abstract painting by Wassily Kandinsky. First impressions of the painting, displays
simple shapes such as triangles and rectangles that sets the mood for the painting. These shapes form the flow within the
painting, and the shapes are very free-flowing and open. This gives the piece a feeling of an ease of mind.

There is the presence of bright, warm hues of orange,

brown, blue and red that emphasizes the sensation of
relaxation. Referring to Kandinskys passion for music,
there is certainly a musical expression in his work. The use
of the thin lines show a feeling of happiness and peaceful
relationships from the direction they are facing. They extend
outwards that symbolize vocal noise and a exciting mood
and open atmosphere. Kandinsky is trying to say in his
painting that music is essential to happy emotions that art
can provide within itself. As well as having art this is visually
fluent and harmonic, it as well expresses rhythm and
melody too. The bright yellow backdrop and colorful intense
shapes show anything but darkness and sadness.

Black and Violet, 1923 by Wassily Kandinsky

Blue Painting Description
This painting is called Blue Painting (Blaues Bild) and was made by
Wassily Kandinsky in 1924. This pieces focuses on the
expressionism style on his overall work. Kandinsky use vivial color
choices and abstract forms to show spiritual and psychological
intensity. In this painting there are many squares and circles that
gives it a more modern look. There are also other lines and shapes
that persuade a flow and rhythm to it. The blue and smoother hues
gives a sense of a calm atmosphere. It also conveys a connection to
music; the volume and pitch of the visual music is more of a jazz
ambiance of a mellow vibe.

In the painting everything feels open and nothing feels trapped or

uptight. All of the objects are free-flowing but are all working in Blue Painting (Blues Bild), 1924 by
harmony. The shapes, colors and lines are all balanced and are Wassily Kandinsky, Retrieved January
running smoothly throughout the canvas. 27, 2016
 Blue Painting
Black and Violet Both
Figures and more
Depicts two prominent Have a lighter highlight
centralized
features that build up surrounding the shapes
Rougher brushstrokes
around them the emphasize the
Color scheme is almost
contrasting darker
Primary colors of the opposite featuring
colors in the foreground
purple, browns and blues, yellows and
of the painting
orange greens
Both use colors and
Shapes and colors are
Patterns are more shapes to reveal the
scattered and follow no
frequent meanings of emotions
specific flow
Brushstrokes are thick Intensive use of the
Busts of sound make
foreground
and straight up the configuration of
A sense of comfort and
Views moves eye all the shapes
lull clearly shown
around the portrait Carker blue/black
through expressionism
encasing the entire
and abstractness
painting

Comparing Works: Wassily Kandinsky

 Saffron Description
This painting called Saffron was produced by Mark Rothko. His
artwork makes the viewers have to think about what he is
portraying. He has a cause for everything he paints on the canvas.
Rothkos focal point is his use of texture and color that creates an
effect the really makes the views think about the message behind
it. In this painting, there are various shades of red and a blend of
blank bleached into it that gives it a deeper and darker
involvement. This lack of initial awareness of the meaning and
concept of color and texture gives it more of a mystery to the
painting. The shades of dark red that gives the painting an
ominous and sense of darkness. The black fade surrounding the
red gives this painting a dismal, horrific, emotional experience. To
emphasize the grim impression of the darker tones, there are
brighter colors in the background such as hues of orange, yellow
and white that are being covered up the the darkened shades.

My interpretation of Saffron is it is depicting the natural cause of

the human nature. The piece presents a locked, trapped
atmosphere. Rothko is trying to say that the human nature never
succeeds in the fashion that you would want it to turn out. The
Mark Rothko Saffron, 1957 appearance of tragedies and destruction is inevitable in life.

Saffron, 1957 by Mark Rothko,
Retrieved January 18, 2017
Similarities
In both of these artworks there is a
similar use of a color palette see a
more relaxed and informal character.
Red, yellow and orange and signature
trademark colors for both of these
artists in these pieces. Orange and
yellow and used at highlighting colors
that give the visual of depth and
distance from the background instead
of the painting laying flat.
Both are similar in the sense that why Black and
Violet, 1923 by
can be split in a fashion where each
Wassily
slice is in a manner symmetrical in Kandinsky,
weight of shape and color, though are Retrieved
separate to show two distinct events January 18,
happening. Both paintings have a light 2017
outline of black as a border around the
geometric shapes.
 Differences
Kandinsky explores more detail in the
general shapes and figure in his painting
whereas Rothko puts immense amount of
detail into the blending and subjected.
Kandinsky is influenced by music to
create more of a bright image with the
color palette. With Rothko's beliefs, he is
influenced by mythology, ideology and
human emotion that gives his painting a
mood of sorrow and pain.

On Saffron there is a noticeable

amount of the color red with an
infusion of black/darkness
closing in on it. The background
was well is prominent in yellow
Saffron, 1957 by Mark Rothko,
and orange where there is a
Retrieved January 18, 2017
darkness closing in on it. In Black and Violet, 1923 by
Black and Violet shades are Wassily Kandinsky, Retrieved
solid within outlines and set in January 18, 2017
proper segments.
 Similarities
Right off that bat the views can see the
dark mixture of the black enclosing on the
primary colors of the paintings. The is an
omnipresent fade/ glow coming from the
main shapes that provide each of them
contrasting lighting and focus. Both
paintings contain a bright blue and white
geometric shape in the direct middle of
the painting. These figures and very
prominent and stand out from other colors
and shapes.

The colors choice that Rothko and

Kandinsky used makes the colors almost
seem greatly saturated and vibrant.
Colors are very dense and full.
Saffron, 1957 by Mark Rothko,
Retrieved January 18, 2017
Blue Painting (Blues Bild),
1924 by Wassily Kandinsky,
Retrieved January 18, 2017
 Differences
The main and most obvious difference from
the beginning is the choices of colors. Rothko
uses a palette of warm colors such as red,
yellow and orange. The warm colors convey
the strong emotions that Rothko is known for.
The warmth of red, yellow, and orange can
create a suspenseful event. The neutrals of
black and darker colors also carry warm
attributes. On the other hand, Kandinsky
chooses to just cool colors like blue, green
and soft complexion. The cool colors tend to
persuade a calming effect. At one end of the
spectrum they are cold, impersonal, antiseptic
colors. While being cool colors, they are
displaying a energetic and lively activity.
Colors are overlapping with each other, but Blue Painting (Blues Bild),
1924 by Wassily Kandinsky,
not blending. Rothko shows simplicity with
Saffron, 1957 by Mark Rothko, Retrieved January 18, 2017
organized and symmetric shapes whereas
Retrieved January 18, 2017
Kandinsky asserts eagerness.
Connection to Personal Art
Both Mark Rothko and Wassily Kandinsky have influenced my
artwork and have inspired me to further experiment with
various techniques. The main concepts that I tried to
implement into my work work was color usage and
composition. Out of all my bodies of work, I have chosen my
illustration pieces using colored pencil as one of my final
projects of my senior year. This piece is emphasized around
vibrant colors to express variance and complexity of the
human, and more characteristically, myself. As I developed my
art making process and search for a common theme
throughout my work, I discovered I enjoy using colors to
emphasize features of my subject. The use of color theory
highlights an inner interpretation of how the world is and
should be perceived. It helps to show the aspect of human
emotions though symbolism of color intensity.

Focus in this central theme I created a lion that would depict

my internally and mentally. The goal was to represents who I
have become as a person, and was well the true colors of
passion and feelings towards the world.
 Art Style and Techniques: Personal v. Wassily Kandinsky

Black and Violet, 1923 by Wassily Kandinsky

One difference between my personal work and Wassily Black and Violet, 1923 by Wassily Kandinsky

Kandinskys is that I used extremely obscure shapes to work out My piece includes area of
facial structure and depth to create, and to easily be able tell the thick regions of a single color
features of the lion. In contrast, Kandinsky sticks to using more that would either compliment
geometrically identifiable configurations to abstractly create surround colors, or
images. Another apparent contrast is the use of material to make purposefully not to create
diversity and shadowing.
the piece. Kandinsky used paint which coated the canvas thicker
Kandinskys painting has a
whereas I used fine colors pencil and a liquid blender to negate the sense of flow where all colors
pencil strokes as much as possible. Kandinsky adheres to using are in line and enforce each
earth toned colors while I use a variety of colors to not have an other.
identifiable color theme.
Art Style and Techniques: Personal v. Mark Rothko
The rectangles within Rothkos
painting do not extend to the
edges of the canvas. To add to
this sensation, there is the effect
of chromatic afterimage.
Looking at each colored
segment individually alters the
perception of those contiguous
to it. On the other hand, my
piece seem to extend off the
allotted size, leaving the views Mark Rothko Saffron, 1957
with a sense of discomfort and
fascination. Also, all the colors
in the piece work together to Again, there is the contrast is the use of material. Rothko creates the
create the images of the lion sense of depth and field with a lighter, highlighted background using
and need to be coordinated to bright colors. This was a more difficult talk for me because I had to use
accomplish such a task. This is solid colors (no blending process) to achieve similar effects. However,
unlike Rothkos piece because the meaning behind each piece is quite similar since they are both
the shapes can represent a new intent to define human emotions and nature.
idea.
 Color: Personal v. Wassily
Kandinsky v. mark Rothko
Both my work and Rothkos contain a lot
of reds and yellows. There were intense
colors that contrasted deeper cold colors
in each piece.
Kandinsky and I both share the use of
cool colors like blues, blacks and greens
that impact thought and deeper
compassion.
I decided to use a wide assortment of
colors the better illustrate the human
condition not being 2-dimensional and is
full of wonder and imagination.
There is a black darkness that is present
in all three pieces. It follows the theme of
potential failure or emotions of sorrow or Saffron, 1957 by Mark Rothko,
Retrieved January 18, 2017 (top left
depression. and Blue Painting (Blues Bild), 1924
All three artists exploits strong image, by Wassily Kandinsky, Retrieved
memories, and feelings towards the January 18, 2017 (bottom left)
connection of color and form.
 Blue Painting (Blues Bild),
1924 by Wassily Kandinsky,
Retrieved January 18, 2017

Black and Violet, 1923 by

Wassily Kandinsky, Retrieved
January 18, 2017
Saffron, 1957 by Mark
Rothko, Retrieved January
18, 2017
Composition
All artists strove to produce similarly object-free and total freedom of expression in their artwork. The main subject
seem throughout all of the compositions was to draw attention to emotion and value that we all encounter.

There is more movement seen within my work and Kandinsky with color flow and rhythmic influence. Rothko works
around and manipulates color to emphasize emotional context.

The portraits express their ideas through the ability to blend expressionism and abstract concepts to interpret
thoughts and feelings hidden within the image.