This master’s thesis deals with the historical beginnings of abstract art, whose founders are Kazimir Maljević and Wassily Kandinsky. In the first part of the work, an analysis of their artistic creativity is given. Their bodies of work are divided here into two parts, the one before the creation of abstract art and the one after. The paper analyses individual works of these two artists and looks back at some of the factors that had a significant influence on them. It strives to give an overview of some of the intellectual, cultural and social currents of that time. It was a time of strong spiritual quests in Russia. The 19th century produced great Russian writers whose search for truth and salvation will leave an indelible mark. New scientific discoveries are made, occult literature and reflections flourish, and among them theosophical teachings are the most widespread. The entire society is on the threshold between traditional and modern, and religious tradition is being questioned. It is a time when man is more alone than ever before in his search for meaning and answers. All this will be reflected in the art. Through painting, Maljević and Kandinsky will try to give answers to their era. This thesis focuses on the specifics of Russian culture and its influence on these two artists. The paper tries to show how religious thinking is implicit to Russians. The work of the Russian philosopher Nikolai Berdyaev will help in analysing this. In addition, the paper will look at the concept of the icon painting and try to understand its significance for modern painting. The analysis of the icon in the painting sense can provide some of the deepest insights, a kind of spiritual guide to the depths of the Russian soul.