In the Bright Blue (Auf hellem Blau)
Mechanical reproduction/print in a calendar; original is an oil on canvas painting • Wassily Kandinsky (1866–1944)
Style & Movement
Abstract Art / Bauhaus School period
Medium & Technique
Original: Oil on canvas. This version: Mass-produced offset lithography or digital printing on calendar paper stock.
Creation Period
Original painting executed in 1923; this calendar reproduction is contemporary (late 20th - early 21st century).
Dimensions & Format
Original: 104.4 x 130.3 cm. This reproduction: Small scale (approx. 5-10 cm square); square format.
Subject Description
A complex non-objective composition typical of Kandinsky's Bauhaus years, featuring geometric forms such as circles, triangles, and grid-like structures set against a divided background of earthy ochre and deep black. The piece explores the spiritual and emotional resonance of color and shape interactions.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair (as a decorative item); the image shows a physical tear on the upper edge and creases from being part of a bound calendar.
Estimated Market Value
Insignificant ($0 - $5). As a cut-out from a calendar, it has no secondary market value as fine art.
Auction Estimate
N/A - Not suitable for fine art auction.
Provenance History
Original painting: The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York. This item: Commercial retail calendar.
Art Historical Significance
The original painting is a masterwork of Kandinsky's time teaching at the Bauhaus, representing the transition from his organic 'Expressionist' abstractions to his more structured, 'Cold' geometric period. It is a key example of his theory on the synesthetic relationship between form and color.
Notable Features
The reproduction captures the iconic checkerboard 'flag' motif and the 'free' floating circles that define Kandinsky's 1920s compositions.
Condition Issues
Visible tear at the top-center; vertical crease on the left margin; surface wear consistent with functional use of a calendar.
Conservation Recommendations
No professional conservation is recommended for a calendar clipping. To preserve as a memento, keep out of direct sunlight to prevent further fading of the ink.
Collector Notes
On a calendar