Illustration IV from the Small Worlds album Vasily Kandinsky (1866-1944)

The composition presents a dynamic arrangement of geometric forms and lines against a pale background. A dominant horizontal rectangle, rendered in shades of grey and orange, cuts across the upper portion of the canvas, its parallel sides interrupted by small triangular protrusions. This element appears to float within the space, not anchored to any discernible ground.
Below this, a circular form, edged with black and punctuated by green detailing, establishes another focal point. A series of thin, diagonal lines intersect the circle, creating a sense of movement and visual tension. These lines are varied in thickness and color – some are dark brown, others a lighter orange hue – contributing to the overall complexity.
A more elaborate structure occupies the lower right quadrant. Here we see a complex assemblage of shapes: a checkered pattern is juxtaposed with curved forms and small, stylized leaf-like elements rendered in green. This section feels denser than other areas of the composition, creating a visual counterweight to the openness above.
Scattered throughout the canvas are smaller details – dots of black, elongated oval shapes, and triangular bursts of color – that further animate the surface. These additions prevent the work from feeling static or overly rigid. A looping ribbon-like form in orange adds an element of fluidity, contrasting with the sharp angles elsewhere.
The painting’s subtexts seem to revolve around themes of balance and disruption. The arrangement suggests a controlled chaos, where disparate elements are brought together without necessarily resolving into a unified whole. There is a sense of internal rhythm, generated by the interplay of shapes and colors, but also an underlying tension that prevents complete harmony. The work appears less concerned with representing external reality than with exploring the possibilities inherent in abstract form itself – a visual exploration of relationships between lines, planes, and color fields.