Final answer:
The statement that is NOT an example of formalist criticism for Kandinsky's "Sketch 1 for Composition VII" is 'The historical context of the artwork,' as formalist criticism solely focuses on the visual aspects like color, shape, and arrangement.
Step-by-step explanation:
When examining "Sketch 1 for Composition VII," by Wassily Kandinsky, and considering formalist criticism, it is important to focus on aspects such as the use of color, shape, and the arrangement of elements within the artwork. Formalist criticism does not take into account the emotional impact or historical context of the artwork but rather analyzes the work based on its visual and structural components. Therefore, the statement that is NOT an example of formalist criticism for the artwork would be "The historical context of the artwork." This relates to the history and circumstances in which the artwork was created, which is outside the scope of formalist analysis.