Why is Wassily Kandinsky not considered the only founder of nonfigurative painting?

Wassily Kandinsky is often cited as a pioneer of nonfigurative painting, but he is not considered its sole founder because the transition toward abstraction was a broad, international movement involving many artists during the early 20th century.1

A strict examination of historical works and dates reveals that Kandinsky was by no means alone in his departure from figurative art. Several factors contribute to this perspective:1

• Concurrent Pioneers: Between 1910 and 1914, numerous artists were exploring abstract styles. For example, Hilma af Klint began creating nonobjective art as early as 1906, predating Kandinsky’s traditionally cited breakthrough.12
• Diverse Movements: Other artists were simultaneously developing their own distinct forms of abstraction. Kazimir Malevich founded the Suprematist school, focusing on geometric patterns, while Piet Mondrian became a major leader in the De Stijl movement, which restricted form to basic elements.345
• Evolutionary Context: Kandinsky’s own path to abstraction was a gradual process influenced by various trends, including Impressionism, Fauvism, and the intellectualized visions of the Cubists.1

While Kandinsky remains a pioneer of the first importance, historical evidence confirms that the development of nonfigurative art was a collective shift rather than the work of a single individual.1