Reiter (Arabische Reiter) by Wassily Kandinsky, 1905

Reiter (Arabische Reiter) by Wassily Kandinsky (1905) captures a pivotal moment in the artist’s evolution, when he was moving beyond strict representation toward the expressive freedom that would soon define modern abstract art. While the subject remains legible—horsemen charging across the picture plane—the emphasis shifts to rhythm, color, and motion. The scene feels musical and atmospheric, as if the riders were propelled by currents of energy rather than tethered to precise, academic detail, reflecting the experimental spirit of the early twentieth century.

This listing offers a museum-quality fine art print of Kandinsky’s painting, produced on your choice of acid-free archival paper or artist’s cotton canvas. Available in a range of sizes, it can be ordered unframed or expertly framed. The Unique Maps Co. also provides personalization and customization options, including custom sizing and tasteful captioning, so you can tailor the presentation to your space and style.

Wassily Kandinsky is widely regarded as a pioneer of abstraction, celebrated for his belief that color and form could communicate emotion much like music. Born in Moscow and later based in Munich, he explored spiritual and psychological dimensions through art, gradually dissolving representational anchors to find a new visual language. The recurring motif of the rider would become an enduring symbol in his work and would foreshadow his leading role in the groundbreaking Blue Rider movement later in the decade.

The image’s subject—Arab riders—invites contemplation of cultural narratives and the allure of equestrian pageantry that fascinated many European artists of the era. Yet Kandinsky treats the theme not as ethnographic detail but as a springboard for expressive invention. The riders surge forward in mid-motion, their momentum conveyed less by anatomical exactitude than by the painting’s compressed space, sweeping contours, and the way forms seem to vibrate against a darkened ground.

Color and brushwork carry the drama. Dominant warm oranges meet cool blues and earthen browns, while passages of opaque white and green punctuate the field, lending contrast and visual lift. Elongated, stylized shapes—particularly in the horses’ bodies and the riders’ garments—heighten the sense of speed. You can trace the movement in the loose, spontaneous strokes and the rhythmic patterns on the horse trappings, which create a repeating cadence across the composition. For collectors, this print is a compelling snapshot of Kandinsky on the cusp: the vitality of representation meeting the daring of abstraction, making it a striking focal point in contemporary or classic interiors alike.

This fine art print makes a thoughtful gift for admirers of modern art and design, and for anyone drawn to energetic, color-forward interiors. It’s ideal for birthdays, housewarmings, Christmas, Mother’s or Father’s Day, or as a memorable keepsake for someone who has recently returned from travels that sparked a love of art and culture.

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 18x24in (45x60cm) 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.