The artwork, titled “Black Square (2nd version),” was created by Kazimir Malevich around the year 1923. This particular piece, rendered in oil on canvas, belongs to the Suprematism art movement and falls under the genre of abstract art. The artwork is currently housed in the Russian Museum located in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
“Black Square (2nd version)” features a large black square prominently centered against a lighter background. The stark contrast between the solid, opaque black square and the muted, textured backdrop exemplifies Malevich’s focus on pure geometric form and color, key elements of Suprematism. The simplicity and boldness of the composition challenge traditional representational art, instead evoking a sense of the infinite and the absolute through its minimalist aesthetic. The edges of the black square are well-defined, imposing a sense of boundary and form within the otherwise vast and undefined canvas.