1915–1930s

Suprematism

Супрематизм

Radically non-objective geometric abstraction founded by Kazimir Malevich, prioritising pure form and colour over representation; centred on the Black Square (1915). Malevich later taught at the Kyiv Art Institute.

Artists of the Movement

Kazymyr Malevych

1879–1935

Founder of Suprematism and a pioneer of geometric abstraction; born in Kyiv and later taught at the Kyiv Art Institute (1928–30).

Works from this Movement

1912

Morning in the Village after Snowstorm

Kazymyr Malevych

A Cubo-Futurist scene of peasants and houses after a snowstorm in cylindrical, metallic forms.

1913

The Knife Grinder (Principle of Glittering)

Kazymyr Malevych

A Cubo-Futurist painting of a knife grinder in fragmented, repeated geometric planes to convey motion.

1914

An Englishman in Moscow

Kazymyr Malevych

An alogist composition juxtaposing disconnected objects, marking Malevich's move toward the abstract.

1915

Black Square

Kazymyr Malevych

1918

White on White

Kazymyr Malevych