15
Kazimir Malevich grew up in an ordinary Ukrainian village, but his “Black Square” turned the world of art
The painting “Black Square” is considered a masterpiece of Suprematism and one of the best works of Kazimir Malevich. According to the auction house Sotheby’s, its value exceeds $ 20 million.
And that's a very modest estimate. After all, for example, the not so famous painting by Malevich “Black Cross on a Red Oval” in 2015 went under the hammer for 37 million.
Perhaps it is difficult to find a more discussed canvas, the debate on the topic of the true meaning of which has not subsided for more than a century. What is the secret of the Black Square?
The painting "Black Square" Contrary to popular belief, Malevich’s masterpiece is not as simple as it may seem. To begin with, the picture is not completely black and not at all a square. Chemical analysis showed that the artist used a mixture of three homemade paints: burnt bone, ochre and a natural component of dark green. And to remove the gloss effect, added chalk.
View this post on Instagram
Posted by Yustas (@yustas_msk)
Malevich's square is neither a square nor a regular quadrangle. Its angles are not equal to each other, and the opposite sides are not parallel.
What's underneath the paint? An attentive viewer will surely notice deep cracks (crakelures) on the Black Square. Through them, paint of a different color is seen. X-rays showed that two more works were hidden under the top layer. At the bottom is a picture in the style of Cubo-futurism (like “Sharpener”), and above it is something like a proto-supremacist “Lady at the poster pole”.
Why did Malevich paint them? Maybe it was an accident. When an artist does not have a suitable canvas at hand, sometimes unsuccessful paintings come into play. Perhaps it is a symbol of the evolution of style. From Cubofuturism to Proto-Suprematism and Pure Suprematism.
How many Black Squares are there? Few people know, but there are only four "Black Squares" by Kazimir Malevich. Two are kept in the Tretyakov Gallery, one in the Russian Museum and another in the Hermitage. All "squares" are not similar in color or size. The one in the Russian Museum is almost twice the size of the first, and the 1930 copy from the Hermitage looks rather dark green.
Born in Kiev and living up to 12 years in a small Podolsky Yampol Malevich single-handedly created a whole school of painting and called it Suprematism.
Malevich zealously denied the copying of the surrounding nature, urged to abandon simplified forms and pure colors. In contrast to the basic principles of old painting (perspective, volume and expressiveness), he created his own pictorial language and its alphabet, the first color form in which was the Black Square or Zero Forms.
“The square,” said Malevich, “became an element of expression not only of the sensations of picturesque, but also of others, for example, the sensations of peace, dynamics, mystical.” Next, the artist folds words from his alphabet, combining simple color forms in the most complex combinations.
Why is Black Square a masterpiece? What can be considered a real painting? Could it be a realistic representation of the world? But with these today, the camera of the cheapest smartphone copes well. I like the idea that this is a special meaning and a whole range of experiences that the author puts into his work. It is they who make the picture truly attractive.
GettyImages Malevich became one of the pioneers of the new style and gave painting a special language. But it's not even about his innovation. At the futuristic exhibition of paintings "0.10" in December 1915, "Black Square" hung in the "red corner" like an icon. The artist called it the highest work of art and surrounded with a special mysticism and legends, fueling the interest of art connoisseurs.
Due to this, the debate about the picture still does not subside. It became not just an image, but an idea that influenced the creativity of a huge number of people. The language of the “Black Square” today is spoken by artists, designers, fashion designers and architects. Its influence is noticeable in the design of books and interiors. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the masterpiece of Malevich not by itself, but at the same time the cultural heritage to which he gave life.
Photo preview and article .
And that's a very modest estimate. After all, for example, the not so famous painting by Malevich “Black Cross on a Red Oval” in 2015 went under the hammer for 37 million.
Perhaps it is difficult to find a more discussed canvas, the debate on the topic of the true meaning of which has not subsided for more than a century. What is the secret of the Black Square?
The painting "Black Square" Contrary to popular belief, Malevich’s masterpiece is not as simple as it may seem. To begin with, the picture is not completely black and not at all a square. Chemical analysis showed that the artist used a mixture of three homemade paints: burnt bone, ochre and a natural component of dark green. And to remove the gloss effect, added chalk.
View this post on Instagram
Posted by Yustas (@yustas_msk)
Malevich's square is neither a square nor a regular quadrangle. Its angles are not equal to each other, and the opposite sides are not parallel.
What's underneath the paint? An attentive viewer will surely notice deep cracks (crakelures) on the Black Square. Through them, paint of a different color is seen. X-rays showed that two more works were hidden under the top layer. At the bottom is a picture in the style of Cubo-futurism (like “Sharpener”), and above it is something like a proto-supremacist “Lady at the poster pole”.
Why did Malevich paint them? Maybe it was an accident. When an artist does not have a suitable canvas at hand, sometimes unsuccessful paintings come into play. Perhaps it is a symbol of the evolution of style. From Cubofuturism to Proto-Suprematism and Pure Suprematism.
How many Black Squares are there? Few people know, but there are only four "Black Squares" by Kazimir Malevich. Two are kept in the Tretyakov Gallery, one in the Russian Museum and another in the Hermitage. All "squares" are not similar in color or size. The one in the Russian Museum is almost twice the size of the first, and the 1930 copy from the Hermitage looks rather dark green.
Born in Kiev and living up to 12 years in a small Podolsky Yampol Malevich single-handedly created a whole school of painting and called it Suprematism.
Malevich zealously denied the copying of the surrounding nature, urged to abandon simplified forms and pure colors. In contrast to the basic principles of old painting (perspective, volume and expressiveness), he created his own pictorial language and its alphabet, the first color form in which was the Black Square or Zero Forms.
“The square,” said Malevich, “became an element of expression not only of the sensations of picturesque, but also of others, for example, the sensations of peace, dynamics, mystical.” Next, the artist folds words from his alphabet, combining simple color forms in the most complex combinations.
Why is Black Square a masterpiece? What can be considered a real painting? Could it be a realistic representation of the world? But with these today, the camera of the cheapest smartphone copes well. I like the idea that this is a special meaning and a whole range of experiences that the author puts into his work. It is they who make the picture truly attractive.
GettyImages Malevich became one of the pioneers of the new style and gave painting a special language. But it's not even about his innovation. At the futuristic exhibition of paintings "0.10" in December 1915, "Black Square" hung in the "red corner" like an icon. The artist called it the highest work of art and surrounded with a special mysticism and legends, fueling the interest of art connoisseurs.
Due to this, the debate about the picture still does not subside. It became not just an image, but an idea that influenced the creativity of a huge number of people. The language of the “Black Square” today is spoken by artists, designers, fashion designers and architects. Its influence is noticeable in the design of books and interiors. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the masterpiece of Malevich not by itself, but at the same time the cultural heritage to which he gave life.
Photo preview and article .
Prayer that should be said on the day of the Baptism of the Lord instead of dipping into the hole
What is the difference between a hoodie, a longsleeve and a sweatshot and how to figure it out once and for all