Kazimir Malevich Facts & Worksheets

Kazimir Malevich was a Russian avant-garde artist and a key figure in the development of abstract art in the early 20th century. He is best known for his role in Suprematism, an abstract art movement that emerged around 1913-1915.

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Key Facts & Information

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

• Kazimir Malevich was born on February 23, 1879, in Kyiv, which was then part of the Russian Empire and is now the capital of Ukraine. His full name was Kazimierz Malewicz, and he came from a Polish family. Little is known about his early life, and there are conflicting accounts regarding his background. 
• Some sources suggest that his family belonged to the Polish nobility, while others state that they were of Russified Polish descent.
• Malevich showed an early interest in art and attended the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture from 1904 to 1910. 
• While at the school, Malevich studied under various artists, including Fyodor Rerberg and Konstantin Yuon. His early works were influenced by Symbolism and Post-Impressionism.
• After completing his formal education, Malevich became involved in the Russian avant-garde art scene.
• He was associated with the Cubo-Futurist movement and participated in exhibitions with other avant-garde artists. He also began to develop his own unique style that would later lead to the creation of Suprematism.
• In 1915, Malevich wrote a manifesto titled “From Cubism to Suprematism,” outlining his artistic philosophy and introducing the ideas behind Suprematism. 
• This publication marked a significant turning point in his career, and he started creating the iconic abstract works for which he is best known.
• Malevich’s early life and education played a crucial role in shaping his artistic development and contributed to his later innovations in abstract art. His journey from traditional art education to the forefront of the avant-garde movement reflects the dynamic artistic landscape of early 20th-century Russia.

EARLY WORKS

• Kazimir Malevich’s early works were influenced by various artistic movements of his time, including Symbolism, Post-Impressionism, and Fauvism. Initially, he experimented with different styles before eventually moving towards abstraction. Some of his notable early works include:
• “The Reaper” (1904-1905): This painting reflects Malevich’s early interest in the Symbolist movement. It depicts a rural scene with a reaper in a field, showcasing his early engagement with representational art.
• “An Englishman in Moscow” (1913): This work demonstrates Malevich’s involvement with the Cubo-Futurist movement. 
• The painting features fragmented, angular forms and vibrant colors, characteristic of the Cubist and Futurist styles that were prevalent in the early 20th century.
• “Morning in the Village after Snowstorm” (1912): This painting is an example of Malevich’s transition from traditional forms to a more abstract style.
• While the subject matter is recognizable—a snowy village scene—there is a notable departure from realistic representation, with a focus on geometric shapes and dynamic compositions.
• “Self-Portrait in Two Dimensions” (1915): This self-portrait is considered one of the transitional works that paved the way for Malevich’s development of Suprematism. 
• The painting features a fractured and abstract representation of the artist, hinting at the geometric forms that would become central to his later style.
• These early works illustrate Malevich’s artistic evolution, showcasing his experimentation with different styles and his gradual departure from representational art.
• As he moved away from conventional artistic conventions, Malevich began to explore the potential for pure abstraction.

MORE NOTABLE WORKS

• Kazimir Malevich created a significant body of work, with some of his most notable and influential pieces belonging to the movement he pioneered, Suprematism. Here are a few of his key works:
• “Black Square” (1915): Perhaps Malevich’s most famous work, “Black Square” is a simple black square painted on a white background. It is considered a seminal piece in the development of abstract art and Suprematism, symbolizing the rejection of representational art.
• “White on White” (1918): In this work, Malevich further explored the concept of reducing art to its essential elements. It features a white square on a slightly different shade of white background, emphasizing the purity and simplicity of form.
• “Red Square” (1915): This painting is another example of Malevich’s exploration of geometric shapes. A red square on a white background demonstrates his commitment to non-representational art.
• “Suprematist Composition: White on White” (1918): Similar to “White on White,” this composition features geometric shapes in white on a white background. Malevich aimed to transcend the material world and create a sense of pure spiritual expression through form and color.
• “Suprematist Composition: Airplane Flying” (1915): This painting, also known as “Airplane Flying,” features abstract shapes resembling an airplane in flight. 
• It showcases Malevich’s interest in dynamic movement and the intersection of art and technology.
• “Black Cross” (1920-1922): Malevich incorporated a black cross within a square composition in this work. While still adhering to geometric shapes, the addition of the cross introduces a symbolic and spiritual element.
• These works exemplify Malevich’s journey through Suprematism, showcasing his commitment to abstraction and the reduction of art to its most fundamental elements.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

• Kazimir Malevich’s impact on the art world extends beyond his innovative artworks. 
• His ideas and theories profoundly influenced the development of modern art and subsequent movements. Here are some additional aspects of Malevich’s impact and influence:

Theoretical Contributions

• Malevich was not only an artist but also a theorist. He wrote manifestos and essays outlining his artistic philosophy, particularly in the development of Suprematism. His writings, such as “From Cubism to Suprematism,” provided intellectual foundations for abstract art movements.

Spiritual Dimension

• Malevich believed that art had a spiritual dimension and sought to express universal feelings and concepts through abstraction. His work aimed to transcend the material world and tap into a higher, more spiritual realm. This emphasis on the spiritual in art influenced later abstract expressionist and spiritual art movements.

Architectural Influence

• Malevich’s Suprematist ideas extended beyond painting into other artistic disciplines, including architecture. He envisioned a total integration of art into everyday life and proposed Suprematist architecture that incorporated geometric shapes and a sense of purity. 

Influence on Contemporary Artists

• Malevich’s ideas and aesthetic choices have influenced numerous contemporary artists. His emphasis on geometric abstraction and simple forms resonates with artists working in various mediums, from painting to sculpture and graphic design.

Impact on Western Avant-Garde

• Malevich’s work and ideas reached beyond Russia and had a significant impact on the Western avant-garde. His ideas influenced artists associated with movements such as De Stijl and Bauhaus.

Kazimir Malevich Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Kazimir Malevich across 22 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Kazimir Malevich. He is best known for his role in Suprematism, an abstract art movement that emerged around 1913-1915.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Kazimir Malevich Facts
2. 1900’s Russia
3. Understanding Suprematism
4. Interpreting the Art
5. Malevich Style
6. Paint Like Malevich
7. Painting Emotions
8. Quoted Images
9. Suprematist Collage
10. An Artist’s Thoughts
11. Being Unique

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Kazimir Malevich?

Kazimir Malevich was a pioneering Russian avant-garde artist and art theorist, born in 1879. He is best known for his role in founding the Suprematist movement, which focused on geometric forms and a limited range of colors, often in abstract compositions.

What is Suprematism?

Suprematism is an art movement founded by Kazimir Malevich in the early 20th century. It emphasizes geometric shapes such as squares, circles, and lines, arranged in dynamic compositions. Suprematist works often feature a limited palette of colors, with an emphasis on pure abstraction and the expression of pure feeling.

What is Malevich’s most famous painting?

Malevich’s most famous painting is “Black Square,” created in 1915. It is considered one of the most iconic works of modern art. “Black Square” represents a significant departure from traditional representational art, serving as a manifesto for Malevich’s Suprematist movement and his belief in the power of pure abstraction.

How did Malevich’s art influence the development of abstract art?

Malevich’s exploration of pure geometric forms and non-representational art had a profound impact on the development of abstract art worldwide. His Suprematist compositions challenged traditional notions of artistic representation and paved the way for future generations of artists to explore the boundaries of form, color, and expression.

What was Malevich’s artistic philosophy?

Malevich believed in the idea of “the supremacy of pure feeling in creative art.” He sought to transcend the material world through his art, aiming to evoke spiritual and emotional experiences in the viewer. His Suprematist compositions aimed to express universal truths and transcendental concepts through the use of geometric forms and pure abstraction.

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