Kazimir Malevich, Suprematist Painting
1915Paintings sorted by Historical period | Painter | Subject matter | Pigments used
Overview
Medium: Oil
Support: Canvas
Size: 101.5 x 62 cm
Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
Object number: A 7681
Kazimir Malevich, ‘Suprematist Painting‘, 1915 is an exploration of pure light and pure color in the theoretical framework of the then modern color theories. During 1915 and 1916 period Malevich depicted optical phenomena such as the perception of colors after looking directly into a bright light source such as the sun.
The pigments are chosen according to the light spectrum and the pigment analysis reveals a palette limited to bright pure basic colors.
Pigments
Pigment Analysis
This pigment analysis is based on the publication of Patricia Railing (1).
The following pigments were employed in this painting:
Red: vermilion
Yellow: cadmium yellow and chrome yellow
Green: long green line in the upper part of the composition is painted in emerald green, the two small green rectangles at the very bottom are painted in the mixture of Prussian blue and chrome yellow.
Blue: cobalt blue and artificial ultramarine
References
(1) Patricia Railing, Report: Malevich’s Suprematist Palette – “Colour is Light”, InCoRM Journal Vol. 2 Spring-Autumn, 2011, pp. 47-57. Available as pdf.
(2) Svetlana Rimsky-Korsakoff, Concerning the Technological Research of Malevich’s Paintings in Kazimir Malevich in the State Russian Museum, St Petersburg, Palace Editions, 2000, 28-31. See also Olga Klyonkova, Features of Malevich’s Painting Technique Revealed in the Process of the Restoration of his Works, ibid., 32-34.
Pigments Used in This Painting
Resources
Videos
Video: 'Kazimir Malevich and the Russian Avant-Garde' by ArtTube
Video: 'Malevich at Tate Modern' by ArtFundUK
Video: 'SUPREMATISM Explained' by Jackson Kliewer
Publications and Websites
Publications
(1) Patricia Railing, Report: Malevich’s Suprematist Palette – “Colour is Light”, InCoRM Journal Vol. 2 Spring-Autumn, 2011, pp. 47-57. Available as pdf.
(2) Svetlana Rimsky-Korsakoff, Concerning the Technological Research of Malevich’s Paintings in Kazimir Malevich in the State Russian Museum, St Petersburg, Palace Editions, 2000 , 28-31. See also Olga Klyonkova, Features of Malevich’s Painting Technique Revealed in the Process of the Restoration of his Works, ibid., 32-34.