《蓝骑士年鉴》封面与圣乔治

The cover of Der Blaue Reiter Almanac (1912), designed by Wassily Kandinsky, was created in Munich, Germany, as part of an artistic movement seeking to redefine art’s purpose. The almanac served as a manifesto for the Blue Rider group, which included artists rejecting strict realism in favor of emotional and spiritual expression. The image of St. George, a Christian martyr slaying a dragon, was chosen not for religious symbolism but as a metaphor for overcoming rigid artistic traditions.

Kandinsky used simplified shapes, stark contrasts, and symbolic colors (blue for spirituality, and yellow for energy) to communicate ideas directly to the viewer’s senses. The work was made during a period of rapid industrialization and social change in Europe when many artists felt traditional art failed to address modern anxieties. By merging folk art motifs with experimental techniques, the designers aimed to create a visual language that could bridge individual emotions and universal human experiences. This approach laid the groundwork for later abstract art and highlighted design’s potential to shape psychological responses, linking visual choices to mental states.

For those interested in seeing how these ideas developed, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) holds a copy of the second edition (1914) of Der Blaue Reiter Almanac (Object Number: AGO.131733). This version includes seven decorative initial letters, a vignette, and four hand-colored plates across its 140 pages: https://ago.ca/collection/object/ago.131733

More information about Der Blaue Reiter: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Der_Blaue_Reiter