Kandinsky

In this insightful, lucid introduction to Kandinsky's life, Volboudt takes us from the artist's early colorist years, the mystic influences of Rudolf Steiner, his decision to quit law and devote his time to painting, through the Blaue Reiter period in Munich to his return toand esthetic disaffection withMoscow and its revolutionary artists. Volboudt is perceptive and readable in his discussion of the individual works and demonstrates Kandinsky's obsession with the spiritual, the essence not seen in physical reality. He highlights, too, the artist's work as the spontaneous manifestation of the imagination. Also included are excerpts from Kandinsky's voluminous critical writings, most important, ""Concerning the Spiritual in Art.'' There are many excellent reproductions and a selected bibliography and chronology.(September)