Kandinsky and Italy: the origins of abstraction at MA*GA

Kandinsky and Italy: the origins of abstraction

The MA*GA Museum in Gallarate presents an exhibition dedicated to Wassily Kandinsky's pivotal role in the rise of abstract art and its impact on the Italian scene. Open until 12 April 2026, the show brings together roughly 130 works from public institutions and private lenders, offering a structured journey through the roots and legacy of abstraction.

Exhibition layout and key themes

The exhibition is divided into sections that trace the development of non-figurative art across Europe and its dialogue with Italy. Main focuses include:

• European developments: works illustrating Kandinsky's influence on the avant-gardes of the 1920s–30s, with references to artists such as Paul Klee, Joan Miró, Jean Arp and Alexander Calder.
• Engagement with Italy: pivotal moments like the Galleria del Milione show and the Italian artists and groups who reworked abstraction in their own way.
• Postwar evolution: Italian artists who adopted and transformed Kandinsky's ideas, fostering new experimental directions and autonomous visual languages.

Why visit

The exhibition highlights Kandinsky's theoretical and spiritual approach to art, his links between painting and music, and his investigations into the relationship of color and form. Visitors will gain a cohesive view of how these concepts influenced multiple generations and artistic contexts.

Practical information

• Venue: MA*GA Museum, via E. De Magri 1, 21013 Gallarate (VA), Italy
• Dates: until 12 April 2026
• Opening hours: Tuesday–Friday 10:00–19:00; Saturday–Sunday 11:00–19:00; Monday closed. Last admission one hour before closing.
• Special openings: Sunday 5 and Monday 6 April 2026, 11:00–19:00
• Contacts: tel. +39 0331 706011 – email [email protected] – website www.museomaga.it

The show is suitable both for visitors seeking a deeper theoretical understanding of abstraction and for those looking for a clear, visually engaging overview of Kandinsky’s influence across Europe and in Italy.