The artwork titled “Sketch for Fresco” created by Kazimir Malevich in 1907, is a tempera on cardboard piece measuring 69.3 by 71 cm. Categorized under the Symbolism art movement, this work falls within the genre of sketch and study. The sketch emanates a serene, mystical quality, characteristic of Symbolism, and serves as a preparatory study for a larger, more monumental piece.
The artwork portrays a group of ethereal figures bathed in a soft, luminous yellow light. These figures, arranged in an almost dreamlike formation, appear to be in various states of contemplative or reverent poses. The use of halos around their heads suggests a holy or otherworldly nature, reinforcing the spiritual symbolism. The background consists of an indistinct, yet richly colored, backdrop combining greens and yellows, which adds to the surreal and ethereal quality of the piece. The blending of colors and the fluidity of forms evoke a sense of harmony and transcendence, which aligns with the Symbolist movement’s aim to depict the unseen and the spiritual.