“Soft Roughness,” rendered by Wassily Kandinsky in 1933 during his time in Paris, France, is an evocative piece within the Abstract Art movement. The artwork employs tempera on cardboard and is currently housed at Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nantes in Nantes, France. This abstract genre composition measures 41.8 x 57.5 cm.
The artwork features a complex interplay of geometric shapes and contrasting hues. Dominated by rectangular forms in muted pinks, off-whites, and deep browns, the composition stands out against a similarly dark background. The piece’s texture and the deliberate irregularity in the application of paint contribute to its titular ‘soft roughness’. Subtle linear elements and small, bordered squares add depth and intrigue, while the overall design reflects Kandinsky’s mastery in conveying emotion through abstracted forms and colors.
