Kazimir Malevich

Kazimir Malevich was born on February 23, 1879, in Kyiv, which was then part of the Russian Empire (now Ukraine). He was the first of 14 children in a Polish family of ethnic Polish origin. Malevich became a pioneering avant-garde artist and art theorist, known for his role in the development of the Suprematist art movement.

On December 19, 1915, Kazimir Malevich exhibited his groundbreaking painting 'Black Square' for the first time in the 'Last Futurist Exhibition 0,10' in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg). This painting became a cornerstone of Suprematism, a revolutionary approach to art focused on pure geometric forms and the expression of pure artistic feeling.

In 1927, Kazimir Malevich published 'The Non-Objective World,' a book that outlined the theoretical underpinnings of Suprematism. In this work, Malevich articulated his vision of a new art form free from the representation of objects, focusing instead on the supremacy of pure artistic feeling expressed through basic geometric shapes.

In November 1929, Kazimir Malevich was honored with a retrospective exhibition at the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. This was a significant event that recognized his contributions to modern art and the development of Suprematism. The exhibition featured many of his major works and helped solidify his reputation within the Soviet Union and internationally.

In 1930, Malevich was imprisoned by Soviet authorities for two months due to his avant-garde art and perceived Western influence, which was at odds with the growing socialist realist trends. This marked a period of intense scrutiny and persecution from Soviet officials, leading to a decline in his artistic output during the latter years of his life.

Kazimir Malevich died on May 15, 1935, in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). His funeral was attended by many of his students and followers, and the procession was led with his artworks displayed. Malevich's passing marked the end of a significant era in modern art, leaving behind a legacy that continued to influence abstract artists and movements worldwide.

In 1934, the Soviet Union officially denounced abstract art, which included Malevich's Suprematist works. The state promoted Socialist Realism as the official art style, resulting in the suppression of Malevich's work and legacy within the Soviet Union for many years. His contributions were downplayed in favor of more politically aligned art forms.

In December 1973, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam hosted a major exhibition of Malevich's work, marking a renewed interest and reassessment of his contributions to modern art. The exhibition showcased a wide array of his paintings and positioned him as a pivotal figure in the development of abstract art, resonating with new generations of artists and art enthusiasts.

In August 2008, Tate Modern in London held a major retrospective exhibition of Kazimir Malevich's work, bringing together a comprehensive collection of his paintings, drawings, and archival materials. The exhibition explored Malevich's evolution as an artist and reaffirmed his pivotal role in the history of modern art, attracting visitors from around the globe.

On October 5, 2018, the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow opened the exhibition 'Kazimir Malevich: Not Just Black Square,' which aimed to present a broad view of Malevich's artistic achievements beyond his iconic 'Black Square' painting. The exhibition included a wide range of his works, highlighting the diversity of his artistic vision and impact on 20th-century art.