Point, Line and Surface, Following Hilbert and Kandinsky

Abstract

Kandinsky’s attempt of developing a systematic theory of fundamental elements of painting has a key step in the publication of Punkt und Linie zu Fläche. This book is indirectely influenced by, and in some sense related to, the general beginning of the century debate on fundamental elements of geometry. We examine some existing liaison between Kandinsky and geometry, pointing out that his way of looking to the generation of lines has surprising “vector field” connotations.