Dunkle Seiten (Dark Sides) by Wassily Kandinsky, 1931

Dunkle Seiten (Dark Sides) (1931) by Wassily Kandinsky is a striking work from the artist’s mature period, when abstraction had fully eclipsed literal representation in his practice. Painted in the ferment of early 1930s Europe, the piece channels the spirit of the Bauhaus and modernism: distilled forms, intentional geometry, and a rhythmic orchestration of color. The title—“Dark Sides”—hints at the tension and contrast that animate the composition, inviting viewers to sense rather than to “read” the image, much like listening to a piece of music.

This listing offers a museum-quality fine art print of Kandinsky’s painting, available on acid-free archival paper or artist’s cotton canvas. Each print is produced with pigment-based inks for exceptional color fidelity and longevity. Multiple sizes, framing choices, and personalization options are available through The Unique Maps Co., allowing you to tailor the presentation—whether you prefer a clean, borderless edge or a matted look behind glass.

Wassily Kandinsky (1866–1944) is celebrated as a pioneer of abstract art, a painter and theorist who believed color and line could evoke emotion as powerfully as music. His years teaching at the Bauhaus refined his vocabulary of crisp geometry and carefully balanced forms, and his writings on the spiritual resonance of color continue to influence artists and designers today. In this period, Kandinsky’s work embraced clarity and structure while still conveying a profound sense of inner movement.

Created in 1931, Dunkle Seiten belongs to a pivotal moment when abstraction had become the lingua franca of the European avant-garde. Rather than depicting a conventional scene, the painting organizes space through vertical bands, floating circles and semi-circles, and interlocking angular shapes. The result is an innovative, architectural approach to pictorial space—an image that seems to pulse with internal logic, poised between order and improvisation.

Color is central to the work’s impact. Deep blues and anchoring blacks establish a nocturnal gravity, while vivid yellows, reds, and greens spark across the surface like notes in a score. Clean, deliberate lines and flat planes of color underscore the modernist ethos of simplicity and clarity, yet the interplay of geometric and organic forms creates a sophisticated visual rhythm. It’s a compelling statement piece for interiors—from minimalist to mid-century—where its balance of calm structure and dynamic energy can either ground a room or become its focal point.

This fine art print makes a thoughtful gift for lovers of modern art and design, ideal for Christmas, birthdays, Mother’s or Father’s Day, housewarmings, or to celebrate someone embarking on—or returning from—travels inspired by Europe’s rich modernist heritage.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.