Troe (The Three)

Troe (The Three) by Kazimir Malevich, created in 1913, is a pivotal example of Russian avant-garde book design and a crucial document from the artist’s transitional period. Classified as an illustrated book, the complex object comprises a printed booklet featuring two lithographs used as covers, complemented internally by four relief halftone reproductions. This choice of medium reflects the radical engagement of the Futurist movement with accessible, reproducible art forms, transforming the book into a sculptural and dynamic visual experience.

Executed during a critical phase in Malevich's career, just preceding his definitive shift to Suprematism, this piece embodies the frenetic energy and geometric fragmentation characteristic of Russian Cubo-Futurism. In 1913, Malevich, along with contemporary poets and designers, sought to break down traditional boundaries between visual art and text, treating the printed object itself as a new medium for artistic expression. The lithographic covers likely employ abstract or semi-abstract forms typical of the period, demonstrating the early stages of the artist’s move away from representation toward pure geometric structure.

As a primary document of early twentieth-century modernism, Troe (The Three) preserves a moment when abstract geometry began to dominate the printed page and when the collaboration between visual artists and poets defined the Russian avant-garde culture. The selection of relief halftone reproductions within the volume further emphasizes the industrial and revolutionary material concerns of the artists working in this tumultuous era.

This rare and historically significant illustrated book is maintained within the prestigious collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), securing its place for scholarly analysis. Though the physical object is fragile, the artistic designs contained within, particularly the foundational early work by Malevich, ensure its lasting importance. Today, records of these seminal Russian prints often enter the public domain, providing access for research and appreciation of this foundational work from 1913.