Kazimir Malevich. Painting The Shroud, 1908
Paintings

Painting The Shroud by Kazimir Malevich

Kazimir Malevich. Painting The Shroud, 1908
Kazimir Malevich. Painting The Shroud, 1908

“The Shroud” is a painting by Kazimierz Malewicz, painted in the early period. Its theme was a linen blanket in which the body of Christ was wrapped. The artist did not depict Jesus in accordance with the established canons. Following the ideas of the Symbolists, he creates a conventional image and adds many decorative details. Malevich also uses the techniques of folk paintings. The image is characterized by simple silhouette forms, contrasting colors and fantastic floral ornaments. The picture looks somewhat naive, unusual and mysterious.

Author: Kazimir Severinovich Malevich (1879-1935).
Year of writing: 1908.
Size: 23 x 34 cm.
Style: Symbolism.
Genre: Religious scene.
Technique: Gouache.
Material: Cardboard.
Location: State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.

Kazimir Malevich is a symbol of the early Russian avant-garde, his work had a huge impact on the development of abstract art throughout the world. But the birth of Suprematism was preceded by an acquaintance with the latest achievements of European art. In the first decade of the 20th century, Malevich experimented with impressionism, post-impressionism, pointillism and fauvism. During the creation of the Shroud, he was deeply passionate about symbolism and even wanted to exhibit with the participants of the Blue Rose.

The painting “The Shroud” by Kazimir Malevich is a traditional plot written in the spirit of symbolism

“The Shroud” adjoins the series “Sketches for Fresco Painting”, on which the author worked in 1907-1908. Its creation was influenced by a close friend of the artist Ivan Klyun, who was fond of ancient Russian icon painting and architecture.

Malevich himself also wrote that the icons made a strong impression on him. The series is devoted to mystical and religious themes, but The Shroud is somewhat different from the rest of the works. It is written in gouache, not tempera. The colors are brighter and more intense here. If other works are characterized by a soft blurring of the contours, then here all the details are clearly outlined. In 1977, the famous avant-garde collector Georgy Kostaki donated the Shroud to the Tretyakov Gallery, where it is kept in our time.