The artwork titled “Fat Man” was created by Kazimir Malevich in 1913. It is a sketch and study crafted using pencil on paper, embracing the principles of Constructivism. The artwork measures 27 by 21 centimeters and currently resides in the St. Petersburg State Museum of Theater and Music in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
The artwork captures the abstracted form of a male figure that appears to be standing with a slight tilt, giving an impression of movement or a relaxed posture. The figure is rendered with a palette of bold, geometric color patches that interrupt and define the outlines of the figure’s silhouette. Unconventional color choices add vitality and a sense of theatricality to the work, with disparate hues delineating various body parts, such as a green glove and purple pants. Despite the figure’s minimalistic construction, it exudes a certain persona, inviting viewers to ponder upon the subject’s character or the narrative behind the work.
Malevich’s conscious departure from naturalistic representation towards geometrization echoes Constructivism’s fascination with abstraction and form. The artwork’s elemental composition reflects a conceptual rather than a visual approach to the rendering of human figures, a hallmark of Malevich’s progressive artistic vision and his quest to transcend traditional pictorialism.
