Prayer (plate, folio 19) from Vzorval' (Explodity) by Kazimir Malevich is a seminal example of graphic work produced during the explosive rise of the Russian avant-garde. This piece is a lithograph, one of twenty plates included within the illustrated book Vzorval' (Explodity), a key document of Russian Futurism published in 1914, reflecting the experimental phase of 1913–14.
During this period, Malevich was rapidly transitioning away from figurative forms toward pure abstraction, engaging deeply with Cubism and Italian Futurism. The style of this lithograph, typical of his graphic output at the time, utilizes fragmented geometries and dynamic, fractured lines. Unlike traditional academic drawing, the medium of the lithograph allowed for a raw, spontaneous energy essential to the Futurist and Zaum aesthetic, emphasizing movement and the simultaneous representation of multiple viewpoints on the page.
The significance of this work extends beyond its visual characteristics; it underscores the importance of the illustrated book classification within the Russian art context. For Malevich and his contemporaries, these publications were not merely vehicles for text but integrated art objects where image and radical poetry operated in symbiotic relation. The graphic design of Prayer (plate, folio 19) serves as a precursor to the artist’s later Suprematist theories, demonstrating his early commitment to non-objective composition before his definitive pivot in 1915.
This rare print, dating from 1913–14, published 1914, is held in the renowned collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), where it is preserved for its historical and artistic value. As a crucial stepping stone in the development of modern art, this work provides vital insight into Malevich’s evolving process, ensuring its continued study by scholars worldwide. Like many influential early modern prints, reproductions of this piece often enter the public domain, offering broad access to Malevich's foundational graphic explorations.
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