The Black Square

Kazimir Malevich’s The Black Square is one of Russian art’s most famous creations of the last century. The first Black Square painted in 1915 became the turning point in the development of the Russian avant-garde. This Black Square on a white background became the symbol of and basic element for Suprematism, leading in this new art movement. Malevich, himself, created several variants of The Black Square that differed not only in the sequence and year of creation but also in color, design and texture. Time has not been kind to Malevich’s painting. In 1915, the surface of the square was pristine and pure but now the black paint has cracked revealing its white background like mortar in crazy paving. Still it is considered revolutionary for modern and contemporary art. So what does The Black Square present? In this black square you can see... whatever you want. And this is why it is so hypnotizing.