Wassily Kandinsky (Russian, 1866–1944) The Garden of Love (Improvisation Number 27), 1912 Oil on canvas; 47 3/8 x 55 1/4 in. (120.3 x 140.3 cm) Alfred Stieglitz Collection, 1949 (49.70.1) Metropolitan Museum of New York "The specific source for the imagery in "The Garden of Love" is most likely the biblical story of Paradise and the Garden of Eden, one of several Old and New Testament themes addressed by the artist. The imaginary landscape revolves around a large yellow sun in the center of the composition, which pulses with rays of red. The garden is occupied by three abstract pairs of embracing figures: a reclining couple above the sun, another at the lower right, and a third, smaller pair seated at the left. Surrounding them are several animals—certainly a snake and perhaps a grazing horse and a sleeping dog. Kandinsky, who was a master of watercolor, successfully achieved similar effects in his oil paintings. Here, large areas of bright, transparent color fill the sp...