“Study for Rhythm of a Russian Dance,” created by Theo van Doesburg around 1918, is a compelling piece representative of the Neoplasticism movement. This sketch and study, measuring 8.5 by 6.5 centimeters, is presently housed in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, New York, US.
The artwork captures a dynamic composition executed in a Cubist-like, abstract manner. It features geometric figures and intersecting lines that suggest motion and rhythm, emblematic of a dance. The sketch utilizes stark, angular forms and a monochromatic palette, characteristic of Van Doesburg’s exploration of abstraction and reduction of form. The figures appear to be engaged in a lively, rhythmic movement, illustrating the artist’s interest in the dynamic interplay between structure and motion.
