Suprematist Composition: Airplane Flying is a seminal oil on canvas painting created by Kazimir Malevich in 1915. This work represents a crucial moment in the development of the Suprematist movement, which sought the absolute supremacy of pure artistic feeling over the conventional representation of objects. The abstract composition, consisting solely of flat, colored geometric shapes, embodies the radical, non-objective principles Malevich established shortly before this canvas was completed. Historical records confirm the creation period as 1915, although the reverse of the piece bears the date 1914, positioning the work precisely at the explosive genesis of the Russian avant-garde.
The Russian artist Malevich utilizes severe geometric abstraction, predominantly relying on squares, rectangles, and straight lines that appear to float and intersect across the white picture plane. Although the title, Suprematist Composition: Airplane Flying, suggests a specific kinetic subject, the piece rejects any literal depiction of flight. Instead, Malevich arranges the forms in a dynamic, diagonal configuration, evoking the energy, speed, and momentum of contemporary mechanical innovation. The strategic placement of black, red, yellow, and gray shapes against the infinite white ground creates both tension and equilibrium, reflecting the artist’s quest for a non-objective, spiritual purity in painting.
As a definitive work of high Modernism, this canvas remains an essential reference point for understanding the trajectory of abstraction in the early 20th century. Malevich solidified his role as a revolutionary figure within Russian art history through influential pieces like this. Today, the painting is a centerpiece in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Due to its significance, high-quality prints reflecting this masterpiece of the period are often sought after, allowing broader study of the formal principles established by Malevich during the pivotal year 1915 (dated on reverse 1914).
Important: ArtBee makes no warranties about the copyright status of this artwork. To the best of our knowledge, based on information from the source museum, we believe this work is in the public domain.
You are responsible for determining the rights status and securing any permissions needed for your use. Copyright status may vary by jurisdiction. See our License & Usage page and Terms of Service for details.