Why did Der Blaue Reiter artists emphasize spiritual expression in their work?

The artists of Der Blaue Reiter emphasized spiritual expression because they sought to give form to mystical feelings and imbue their work with deep spiritual content. Unlike other Expressionist groups that focused on the harsh, agitated emotions of modern life, Der Blaue Reiter artists pursued a path of lyrical abstraction.12

This focus was driven by a desire to move beyond the literal representation of nature and explore the inner, subjective qualities of art. Central to this philosophy was Wassily Kandinsky, who articulated these ideas in his influential treatise, Concerning the Spiritual in Art. Kandinsky believed that colors and forms possessed inherent expressive power—comparing, for instance, the sound of blue to a heavenly pipe organ—which allowed art to transcend the physical world and communicate directly with the spirit. By prioritizing this spiritual dimension, the group aimed to create a new, nonfigurative language of art that reflected a deeper, more harmonious reality.3241