Kazimir Malevich’s 1920 artwork, “The Principle of Painting the Walls,” epitomizes the Suprematism art movement and falls under the abstract genre. The artwork exemplifies Malevich’s pursuit of purity in geometric forms and colors, devoid of representational elements.
The composition prominently features a variety of geometric shapes meticulously arranged on the canvas. A large black rectangle on the left contrasts with a striking red semicircle beneath it, embodying Malevich’s characteristic use of bold shapes and colors. To the right, a smaller red square juxtaposes against a dark and smaller yellow rectangle. The central part of the artwork reveals overlapping rectangles and squares in dark blue, red, and orange hues, intricately layered to create depth and dynamic visual interest. Elongated rectangular forms intersect at sharp angles, contributing to the artwork’s complexity and the visual tension inherent in the Suprematist aesthetic. The distinct shapes and color palette reflect Malevich’s exploration of abstract visual language and his theoretical considerations on the arrangement and interaction of forms on a flat surface.