A work that is at the upmost importance for all of Russian Avante Guarde art is Malevich’s Black Square, which’s perhaps is one of the most famous works of the period. At first glance, one might be puzzled at the piece’s significance or importance—it is literally just a black painted square. But, something that is important to keep in mind with the futurist is that all work needs to be understood with in the historical web of other work. Although some of the pieces may not be as impressive technically as for say Repin, the historical meaning and overarching social critique that the work contains elevates futurist art.

Malevich’s Black Square encapsulates that mantra perfectly. The entirety of the pieces meaning is from its historical context, specifically the Russian tradition of Icon painting. At the exhibition, the painting was placed high in the corner of the room, in the spot traditionally meant for the Icon. By placing a black square there, it is as if Malevich is restarting the artistic Russian tradition, replacing centuries of religious depiction with just the color black. When doing research on the painting, art historian Philip Shaw at the Tate Modern notes the distinct viewing experience of the work: “The experience of viewing the painting thus involves a feeling of pain brought about by the breakdown of representation followed by a powerful sense of relief, even elation, at the thought that the formless or massive can nevertheless be grasped as a mode of reason. In other words, the failure of the black square to represent this transcendent realm serves ‘negatively’ to exhibit the ‘higher’ faculty of reason, a faculty that exists independent of nature.”

I have some unresolved questions about Malevich’s work, perhaps that could be best explored in further discussion of the class or on this bog. By painting the canvas black is Malevich covering up the past traditions? Or by doing so is he allowing space for new artistic growth?