Analytical Chart

The Analytical Chart is a pivotal drawing created by Kazimir Malevich in 1924. This complex piece employs cut-and-pasted printed paper alongside traditional materials like pencil and ink applied to paper mounted on paper. Produced during the critical years of 1924–27, this drawing reflects Malevich’s evolving theoretical approach following the establishment of Suprematism. As a leading figure in the Russian avant-garde, Malevich moved increasingly toward pedagogical and organizational documentation, seeking to map the philosophical trajectory of modern art movements.

The work functions less as a traditional image and more as a diagrammatic analysis. It is characterized by geometric forms and textual notations that methodically track the development and relationships between various artistic styles. Malevich utilized the precision of the collage elements and the directness of pencil and ink to create a highly structured pedagogical tool. These analytical charts served as crucial supplements to his lectures and publications, illustrating his theory that artistic evolution progressed through identifiable geometric stages and ideological shifts. The combination of drawing and collage reinforces the concept that art history can be scientifically plotted and understood through measurable, objective principles.

This significant theoretical work by Malevich highlights his dedication to articulating the Suprematist ideology not just through painting, but through rigorous intellectual mapping. The diagrammatic classification embedded within the Analytical Chart provides essential insight into the intellectual rigor of the post-revolutionary Russian artistic scene. The piece is classified as a drawing and currently resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), where it remains a key reference for understanding the transition from radical abstraction to structured conceptualism. While the original work is safeguarded by MoMA, high-quality reference prints of this important theoretical drawing are often available for study, aiding researchers globally.