The Red Cross on a Black Circle (c.1915) by Kazimir Malevich

The Red Cross on a Black Circle - Kazimir Malevich - c.1915

Artwork Information

TitleThe Red Cross on a Black Circle
ArtistKazimir Malevich
Datec.1915
Mediumoil,canvas
Art MovementSuprematism

About The Red Cross on a Black Circle

“The Red Cross on a Black Circle” is an abstract artwork by Kazimir Malevich, a pioneer of the Suprematist movement, which he created around 1915. The work is rendered in oil on canvas and epitomizes the Suprematist genre, known for its focus on fundamental geometric forms and its divergence from representational art.

Upon examining the artwork, one observes the stark contrast between the red cross and the black circle centered upon a pale background that appears to be cream or off-white. The cross itself is not perfectly symmetrical, creating a sense of dynamic tension within the piece. Malevich’s use of a limited color palette and bold geometric shapes exemplifies the Suprematist belief in the supremacy of pure artistic feeling over the depiction of objects. Elements of the cross extend beyond the boundary of the circle, suggesting an interplay and perhaps a transcending of forms. Below the primary intersection of the cross, a smaller form akin to a misaligned reflection reinforces the idea of movement and disruption. The various planes and angles juxtaposed against the circular form and the vastness of the backdrop invite contemplation of spatial and metaphysical concepts, characteristic of Suprematist philosophy.

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