Dynamic Figure from On New Systems in Art (O Novykh Sistemakh V Iskusstve)

Dynamic Figure from On New Systems in Art (O Novykh Sistemakh V Iskusstve) is a significant lithograph created by Kazimir Malevich in 1911. This pivotal print belongs to the early, pre-Suprematist phase of Malevich’s career, showcasing his transition away from traditional figurative representation toward abstraction. The work originates from the foundational Russian theoretical text, On New Systems in Art, which served as a crucial publication for disseminating emerging avant-garde ideas across the burgeoning Russian art scene. Malevich utilized the accessible medium of the lithograph to share his conceptual explorations widely during this intense period of cultural and artistic evolution.

The piece, classified specifically as a print, demonstrates Malevich’s deep interest in fracturing forms and depicting embodied movement. Unlike the rigid, geometric purity that would define his works later in the decade, this 1911 figure retains recognizable organic shapes. However, they are rendered with dynamic, intersecting lines and sharp angles that emphasize energy and temporal flux. The composition is highly structured, utilizing the stark tonal contrasts inherent to the lithographic technique to heighten the sense of tension. This early exploration of dynamism reflects the significant influence of contemporary movements like Cubism and Futurism, adapted and refined through the unique lens of Russian modernism.

Malevich masterfully uses simplified volumes and overlapping planes to convey tension and motion within the flat surface of the paper. This important work remains crucial for understanding the intellectual trajectory that led the artist to pioneer Suprematism just a few years later. The Dynamic Figure from On New Systems in Art represents a critical intersection between Malevich's figurative past and his abstract future. This scarce original is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), where it serves as a key example of foundational Russian modernism and the importance of prints in the dissemination of avant-garde theory during the 1911 period.