Why is this painting of a black square famous? - Allison Leigh

Summary

On December 19, 1915, Kazimir Malevich's 'Black Square' sparked controversy at an exhibition in St. Petersburg, challenging traditional art norms. While critics dismissed its simplicity, a deeper analysis reveals its complexity, with an off-kilter form and layered history embedded in the paint. Malevich's journey through various avant-garde styles led him to create Suprematism, focusing on non-objectivity and pure feeling. Despite later constraints under Stalin’s regime, where he was forced to abandon his radical ideas, Malevich's work remained a testament to his pursuit of a new art form beyond representation, reflecting his resilience amid societal upheaval.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The exhibition of radical artworks featuring Kazimir Malevich's 'Black Square' opened on December 19th, 1915, in St. Petersburg, Russia.
• 🖤 'Black Square' was controversial and challenged traditional perceptions of art, symbolically occupying space typically reserved for religious icons.
• 🤔 Early critics dismissed 'Black Square' as overly simplistic, with some claiming it would lead to doom.
• 🔍 A deeper analysis reveals that 'Black Square' is not a perfect black square; its form is slightly off-kilter and not perfectly black.
• 🎨 The painting's background shows evidence of Malevich's previous works, with vibrant colors hinting at his artistic journey.
• ✋ Malevich's technique is characterized by vigorous brushstrokes and the presence of his fingerprints, adding texture and depth to the artwork.
• 🚀 Malevich was influenced by various artistic movements, including Impressionism, Futurism, and Cubism, before developing his own style called Suprematism.
• 💡 Suprematism emphasizes pure feeling over representational forms, marking a radical departure from traditional art focused on real-world objects.
• 🔒 Malevich faced challenges during Stalin's regime, leading to a shift away from avant-garde art towards Socialist Realism.
• 🖌️ Despite constraints, Malevich continued to incorporate elements of Suprematism in his later works, symbolizing his enduring quest for a new form of art beyond the limitations of the material world.

Q & A

What was the significance of the exhibition held on December 19th, 1915?

The exhibition was significant as it showcased radical artworks in St. Petersburg, with Kazimir Malevich's 'Black Square' being a particularly controversial piece that challenged traditional artistic norms.

How did critics initially respond to Malevich's 'Black Square'?

Critics scoffed at its simplicity, with one claiming even a child could have created it, and another suggesting it would lead to doom, indicating a general confusion and outrage towards its minimalist approach.

What are some of the technical aspects of 'Black Square' that reveal its complexity?

Despite its name, 'Black Square' is not perfectly black or square; its sides are not parallel or equal in length, and it is slightly off-center, giving it a dynamic appearance.

What does the painting's physical deterioration reveal about its history?

The cracks in the aging paint, known as craquelure, expose fragments of earlier paintings and highlight Malevich's artistic journey, indicating that he reused the canvas multiple times.

What was the artistic philosophy behind Malevich's 'Suprematism'?

Suprematism emphasized feeling as the supreme element of art, moving away from representational forms to achieve a state of non-objectivity, where art did not depict real-world objects.

How did Malevich's early experiences influence his artistic development?

Malevich's exposure to various avant-garde styles in Moscow after moving there in 1904, including Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and Cubism, influenced his evolution towards a new form of abstract expression.

What challenges did Malevich face during Stalin's rise to power?

With Stalin's rise, avant-garde styles like Suprematism were deemed unproductive by the Communist state, leading to restrictions on artistic expression and Malevich's eventual arrest for spreading subversive ideas.

How did Malevich's work change after his arrest?

After his arrest, Malevich returned to figuration, painting peasants in barren landscapes, although elements of his earlier Suprematist ideas still persisted in these later works.

What does Malevich's self-portrait signify in relation to his artistic philosophy?

In his self-portrait, Malevich's open hand forms a quadrilateral, and a tiny black square appears in the corner, symbolizing his enduring commitment to exploring new art forms despite political oppression.

What is the lasting impact of Malevich's 'Black Square' and Suprematism on modern art?

Malevich's work laid the foundation for future movements such as Abstract Expressionism and Minimalism, challenging artists to explore non-representational forms and emotional expression, which remain relevant in contemporary art.