Montblanc is known for a variety of annual limited edition collections lauding renowned figures of history and art.
But this new Artisan Edition pen honoring Wassily Kandinsky (1866 -1944) is designed to not only turn the spotlight on the Russian-born artist and his work, but also the highly trained craftsman at Montblanc who are responsible for this sculpted, gemstone-set fountain pen.
Montblanc Artisan Edition Homage to Wassily Kandinsky Limited Edition 3
The Artisan Edition Homage to Kandinsky Limited Edition 3 shown here features a skeletonized cap in white gold with geometrical shapes and curved black lines reminiscent of “Yellow-Red-Blue,” one of Kandinsky’s great masterpieces, which he painted in 1925.
Wassily Kandinsky
There are just three fountain pens in this edition, recalling the three primary colors used in the abstract painting. The hues are recreated here in yellow, red, and blue gemstones set in the white gold.
The onion-dome shape of the cone, which is set with rows of diamonds and blue sapphires, evokes the artist’s Moscow church paintings, while a sinuous black line ingeniously becomes the pen clip in a sensual curve along the length of the cap.
Montblanc Artisan Edition Homage to Wassily Kandinsky Limited Edition 3
The solid gold nib is engraved with a “K,” one of the artist’s famous flourishes, and the cap crown is adorned with a single Montblanc-cut diamond framed by two rows of smaller diamonds.
Bringing art to life
Another version, the Artisan Edition Homage to Kandinsky Limited Edition 77, comprises a 77-piece edition. The number of pieces references the age when the artist died in 1944. See this edition in Montblanc’s Artisan Edition Pen Honors Artist Wassily Kandinsky.
This series is also inspired by the shapes and colors of his “Yellow-Red-Blue,” and the skeletonized champagne-tone gold pen body is layered with red, yellow and blue lacquer inlays. The cap is crowned in mother-of-pearl, creating the famed Montblanc snowcap emblem.
This year, as Montblanc celebrates 110 years of its “Pioneering Spirit” (see Montblanc Celebrates 110 Years With 2 Pocket Watches And Special Edition Wristwatches From The 4810 Collection), it pays tribute to this influential painter, art theorist, and author credited with creating one of the first purely abstract works of art.
Montblanc in Hamburg, where the pen artisans are at home
This three-piece pen edition was produced in the Montblanc Artisan Atelier in Hamburg, and it brings to life Kandinsky’s own pioneering vision as inspired by his artistic journey from Moscow to Weimar and then Paris.
Montblanc Artisan Edition Homage to Wassily Kandinsky Limited Edition 3
Interestingly, Kandinsky’s career began 120 years ago, in 1896, when he gave up teaching to begin experimenting with paint. He believed that emulating nature was merely a distraction, and it was abstraction wherein he could develop a more meaningful visual medium.
For more information, please visit www.montblanc.com/en/discover/limited-editions/artisan-editions/wassily-kandinsky.
Quick Facts
Edition: fountain pen
Nib: 18-karat gold
Cap and barrel: white gold set with gemstones
Limitation: 3 pieces
Price: upon request
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Beautiful piece, I think an artist’s style is a great foundation to develop things like pens and watches and Kandinsky’s design motif flows beautifully into a pen
-Amateur horologist
Check out https://amateurhorologist.wordpress.com/