Meaning: Josef Albers, a prominent artist and educator, made the statement "I think Kandinsky and I were very near friends" in reference to the influential Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky. The quote suggests a deep sense of connection and affinity between the two artists, hinting at a close relationship or mutual understanding.

Wassily Kandinsky was a pioneer of abstract art, known for his innovative use of color and form to convey emotional and spiritual depth in his paintings. He was a key figure in the development of abstract art in the early 20th century and a founding member of the influential art movement known as the Blue Rider group. Kandinsky's theoretical writings on art and spirituality, particularly his book "Concerning the Spiritual in Art," had a profound impact on artists and thinkers of his time, and his legacy continues to inspire contemporary artists.

Josef Albers, on the other hand, was a German-born American artist and educator who is best known for his series of paintings and prints titled "Homage to the Square." Albers was a leading figure in the Bauhaus movement and later became an influential teacher at the famous Black Mountain College and then at Yale University. His work explored the interaction of color and form, and he is celebrated for his groundbreaking theories on color perception and its psychological effects.

The quote by Albers suggests a personal connection with Kandinsky, which may have been rooted in their shared interest in the spiritual and emotional dimensions of art. Both artists were deeply engaged in the exploration of color, form, and the expressive potential of abstract art. Their work reflected a shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional artistic representation and delving into the transformative power of visual language.

It is worth noting that Albers, who was born in 1888, was significantly younger than Kandinsky, who was born in 1866. However, their paths may have crossed during their time in the art world, especially considering Albers' involvement in the Bauhaus movement and Kandinsky's influential role in shaping modern art.

The quote also hints at the idea that artistic connections can transcend time and space, allowing artists to feel a sense of kinship with those who came before them or worked in different cultural contexts. Albers may have felt a deep resonance with Kandinsky's artistic vision and philosophical insights, which in turn influenced his own artistic development and approach to color and form.

In conclusion, Josef Albers' statement "I think Kandinsky and I were very near friends" encapsulates a sense of admiration, affinity, and shared artistic spirit between two influential figures in the history of abstract art. It reflects the enduring impact of Kandinsky's work on subsequent generations of artists, including Albers, and underscores the timeless relevance of their explorations into the expressive potential of color, form, and abstraction in art.