“Proun 19D” is an artwork by El Lissitzky, a renowned artist associated with the Constructivist movement, created in the year 1922. The medium of this piece is collage and oil on wood. It is part of the broader “Prouns” series that Lissitzky developed during his career. The dimensions of the artwork are 38 3/8 x 38 1/4 inches, and its genre falls under design. This particular piece is housed in the prestigious Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) located in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork itself is a complex composition that exemplifies the Constructivist ethos, which endorses art as a practice for social purposes. It features a variety of geometric shapes and forms gracefully intersecting and floating against a neutral background. Sharp angles, overlapping planes, and a contrast of forms mark the aesthetic of the piece. There is an interplay of dimensionality, where some shapes seem to project outwards, creating a dynamic tension within the flat surface. The texture is also varied, with some elements depicting a high level of detail, suggesting different materials or surfaces. The color palette is muted with shades of brown, gray, and off-white, punctuated by the occasional hint of color, such as the red accents that draw the viewer’s eye. This artwork is a significant representation of the Constructivist belief in the construction of a new social environment through art, showcasing a meticulous balance of form and abstract design to convey a sense of spatial depth and architectural presence.
