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Living in a big hotel

'Living in a big hotel' was created in 1914 by Kazimir Malevich in Cubo-Futurism style. Find more prominent pieces of genre painting at Wikiart.org – best ...

Kazimir Malevich (1878-1935): Ukrainian founder of Suprematism & pioneer of abstract art. Explore iconic works like Black Square, geometric forms, & pure feeling's impact on 20thC art.

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Total Price

$ 263

reproduction

Living in a big hotel

Reproduction Medium

Reproduction Size

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Total Price

$ 263

Quick Facts

  • Year: 1914
  • Artistic style: Cubist
  • Influences:
    • Impressionism
    • Symbolism
  • Notable elements or techniques: Geometric abstraction; Fragmented perspective
  • Title: Living in a big hotel
  • Artist: Kazimir Malevich
  • Medium: Oil on canvas

Art Quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
What artistic movement is Kazimir Malevich’s ‘Living in a big hotel’ primarily associated with?
Question 2:
The painting utilizes a muted color palette dominated by shades of gray, black, white and beige. What is the primary purpose of this monochromatic approach?
Question 3:
Which technique best describes Malevich’s use of lines and shapes in ‘Living in a big hotel’?
Question 4:
How does the painting’s lack of traditional perspective contribute to its overall impression?
Question 5:
What symbolic element is conveyed through the depiction of anonymous figures in ‘Living in a big hotel’?

Artwork Description

Living in a big hotel

Kazimir Malevich’s “Living in a big hotel,” painted in 1914, stands as a cornerstone of Cubo-Futurist art and embodies Malevich's radical departure from representational painting. This artwork isn’t merely an image; it’s a deliberate exploration of form, color, and emotion—a testament to the burgeoning avant-garde spirit of its time.

  • Overall Impression: The canvas presents a fragmented interior scene rendered in Cubist principles. Geometric shapes dominate, prioritizing planes over traditional perspective, creating a flattened effect that emphasizes spatial ambiguity. A muted grayscale palette underscores the painting’s solemn mood and introspective quality.
  • Composition & Subject Matter: A solitary figure sits facing away from the viewer near a window, surrounded by simplified furniture forms—a table and chairs—further contributing to an atmosphere of detachment. The lack of recognizable details invites contemplation on themes of isolation and anonymity.
  • Style & Technique: Malevich’s approach aligns perfectly with Cubism's rejection of illusionistic realism. He utilizes sharp lines and geometric shapes – rectangles, squares, triangles – meticulously arranged to generate a complex visual dialogue. The smooth texture achieved through thin oil paint layers reinforces the painting’s flatness, mirroring its conceptual ambition.
  • Color Palette & Lighting: Dominating the artwork is a restrained grayscale spectrum—shades of gray, black, and white—accentuated by subtle hints of beige and muted greens. Absence of dramatic lighting enhances the painting's subdued ambiance and contributes to its contemplative character.
  • Symbolic Significance: “Living in a big hotel” speaks volumes about the anxieties of modernity. The fragmented forms symbolize the disintegration of traditional values, mirroring the turbulent socio-political landscape of post-Impressionist Europe. Malevich’s intention was not to depict reality but to convey pure feeling—a bold assertion of artistic autonomy and a precursor to Abstract Expressionism.

This artwork is more than just pigment on canvas; it's an invitation to engage with the core tenets of Cubo-Futurism – a movement that sought to liberate art from the constraints of imitation and embrace the expressive potential of geometric abstraction.


Artist Biography

Kazimir Malevich: A Pioneer of Abstract Art

Early Life and Influences

  • Born in Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine in 1878 to a Polish family, Kazimir Severinovich Malevich’s early life was shaped by the rural Ukrainian landscape and its rich folk culture.
  • His upbringing instilled in him an appreciation for traditional artistic expressions that would later subtly influence his work.
  • Formal training began in Kyiv, but Malevich quickly sought broader artistic horizons, moving towards Moscow and eventually engaging with the burgeoning avant-garde movements of Europe.
  • Key Influences: Early exposure to folk art, combined with a desire for modern expression, formed the foundation of his unique style.

Artistic Development & Key Movements

  • Initially, Malevich explored various styles including Impressionism, Symbolism, Fauvism, and Cubism. A pivotal trip to Paris in 1912 exposed him to the latest developments in European art.
  • He gradually moved away from representational forms, seeking a purely artistic language based on geometric shapes and color.
  • This led to the development of Suprematism around 1915 – an abstract movement focused on “the supremacy of pure feeling” in art.
  • Suprematism rejected any attempt to depict objects from the visible world, instead prioritizing basic geometric forms like squares, circles, and rectangles.

Major Achievements & Notable Works

  • Black Square (1915): Arguably his most famous work, it represents a radical departure from traditional art and is considered a foundational piece of abstract painting.
  • White on White (1918): A series exploring the purity of form and color, featuring white geometric shapes against a white background – pushing abstraction to its limits.
  • Stroyuschiysya dom [House under Construction] (1916): An early example of Suprematism showcasing his unique perspective on Ukrainian culture through abstract forms.
  • He also wrote extensively on art theory, articulating the philosophical principles behind Suprematism and advocating for a new artistic consciousness.

Historical Significance & Legacy

  • Malevich’s work profoundly impacted the development of 20th-century abstract art, influencing movements like Minimalism and Constructivism.
  • He challenged conventional notions of representation and paved the way for non-objective art.
  • His ideas about pure feeling and geometric abstraction continue to resonate with artists today.
  • Despite facing political persecution under Stalin – initially supported, then suppressed – Malevich persevered in his practice and teaching.
  • Influence on Later Artists: He directly influenced artists like El Lissitzky and indirectly shaped countless others through the enduring legacy of Suprematism.

Later Life & Death

  • In his later years, Malevich revisited figurative painting, attempting to synthesize his abstract principles with representational forms.
  • He continued to teach and write about art until his death in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) in 1935.
  • His work remained relatively obscure for decades after his death but experienced a resurgence of interest in the latter half of the 20th century, solidifying his place as one of the most important figures in modern art history.
Kazimir Malevich

Kazimir Malevich

1878 - 1935 , Ukraine

Quick Facts

  • Artistic Movement Or Style: Suprematism, Abstract Art
  • Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist:
    • Minimalism
    • Constructivism
    • El Lissitzky
  • Artists Who Influenced This Artist:
    • Cubism
    • Fauvism
    • Impressionism
  • Date Of Birth: 1878
  • Date Of Death: 1935
  • Full Name: Kazimir Severinovich Malevich
  • Nationality: Ukrainian/Russian
  • Notable Artworks:
    • Black Square
    • White on White
    • House under Construction
  • Place Of Birth: Kyiv, Ukraine
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