Origins of Abstract Painting:

Origins of Abstract Painting   

Abstract painting traces its origins back to the 19th century but emerged in the 20th century, beginning as a revolutionary movement that challenged the traditional goal of representing visible reality. Abstract artworks depicted objects, people, or landscapes; abstract painters used colour, shape, and form to express inner feelings, spiritual ideas, or universal truths. This art form focused on the interplay of colours. Moreover, three of the most important art movements that contributed to the development of abstract art are Romanticism, Expressionism, and Impressionism.  

The Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky is often credited with creating the first purely abstract paintings. Kandinsky is regarded as one of the pioneers of European Abstract painting. According to Kandinsky, art should visually represent the artist's inner spiritual and emotional experiences. The Russian folk and Impressionist styles primarily influenced Kadinsky's early works. Moreover, in 1910, he completed "Untitled (First Abstract Watercolor)," this fantastic piece of art is considered the first actual abstract painting in the world of painting. 

Although some argue that Hilma af Klint may have produced the first abstract piece in 1906, her work wasn’t seen by the public until much later. Regardless, Kandinsky introduced abstract art to the mainstream art world when he published “Concerning the Spiritual in Art” in 1912, creating a theoretical basis for abstract art.  

Another key figure in the birth of abstraction was Kazimir Malevich, who was the founder of Suprematism. Malevich began this movement in 1913 by creating abstract geometric patterns. The Suprematism movement primarily focused on basic geometric forms, such as the square, cross, and circle. His 1915 painting, "Black Space," is considered one of his most influential works from this period.  

Then again, in the Netherlands, Piet Mondrian was one of the founders of the Dutch Modern Movement De Stijl. Mondrian was recognised for his abstractions and methodical practice in his works. Mondrian reduced his shapes to lines and rectangles and then his palette to fundamental basics, pushing past references to the outside world toward pure abstraction. His use of asymmetrical balance and a simplified pictorial vocabulary were crucial in the development of modern art. Mondrian has produced some of the most iconic and influential pieces of work that remain popular to date.  

The emergence of abstract painting not only redefined artistic expression but also opened the door to countless styles that challenge our perception of the world.