Menu
FREE ART CONSULTATION
PreviewPreview AR previewAR preview Buy Print Buy PrintBuy Image Buy Image SendSend
DetailsDetails Add to favorites Add to favorites DownloadDownload SimilarsSimilars X-RayX-Ray DiaporamaDiaporama

Self Portrait 2

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.

Hand Made Oil Reproduction

Hand-painted oil on canvas in your size and frame, made to order by our artists. (Buy Print Buy PrintBuy Image Buy Image)

P118B $10
P118H $10
P118W $10
P438Z $10
P508JH $12
P508YH $12
P805H $10
P805Z $10
P919BZ $10
P919G $10
P919XJ $10
P959ZH $10
P968JZ $12
W106C $8
W218G $10
W218JH $8
W218Y $10
W307PJ $10
W316G $10
W316PJ $8
W316Y $10
W398PJ $8
W4111J $10
W500HY $15
W500JH $15
W692G $12
W849H $8
W940BG $15
W953PJ $8

Standard
custom
CM
INCH

Pick from our preset sizes that match the artwork's original proportions.

width
height

You may enter your own dimensions to fit a specific frame or space. If your selected size does not match the original image's proportions, we will either crop the artwork or extend the painting with additional hand-painted elements. A digital mockup will be sent for your approval before production begins.
Please note that the on-screen preview does not reflect the actual cropping or extension. Only the mockup will accurately show the final composition.
While custom sizes are available, we recommend selecting a dimension from the predefined list to preserve the original proportions.

Examples of what can be changed: Replace face with customer photo; Add pet (e.g., replace cat with dog); Include hidden message in background; Change background landscape or elements.
After order, ArtsDot.com team will email client for instructions and provide a mockup preview

Worldwide Delivery () in 3/4 weeks instead of standard 5 weeks. (16 August). No compromise on quality.

why_choose_icon
Free Worldwide Express Shipping
why_choose_icon
High-Quality Linen Canvas
why_choose_icon
Full Shipping Insurance
why_choose_icon
Customs Tax Refund Guarantee
why_choose_icon
True Color Matching Guarantee
why_choose_icon
60-Day Return Policy (Defects Only)
why_choose_icon
100% Money-Back Guarantee
why_choose_icon
Bulk Discount Offer

Total Price

$ 263

reproduction

Self Portrait 2

Reproduction Medium

Reproduction Size

-

Total Price

$ 263

Quick Facts

  • Medium: Oil Painting
  • Title: Self Portrait 2
  • Subject or theme: Self-representation
  • Influences:
    • Folk Art
    • European Avant-garde
  • Notable elements or techniques: Geometric forms & Bold colors
  • Movement: Cubism

Art Quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
What artistic movement is Kazimir Malevich’s Self Portrait 2 primarily associated with?
Question 2:
The painting utilizes geometric shapes and bold colors, a characteristic feature of which artistic style?
Question 3:
Which artist is known for exploring similar cubist techniques in their work like Dora Maar?
Question 4:
What does the painting’s depiction of a man wearing a red hat with a white cross convey about Malevich's artistic intentions?
Question 5:
Malevich’s Self Portrait 2 exemplifies the broader trend in early 20th-century art towards rejecting representational imagery and prioritizing...

Artwork Description

A Bold Vision of Geometric Supremacy: Exploring Kazimir Malevich’s Self Portrait 2

Kazimir Severinovich Malevich stands as a monumental figure in the history of abstract art, forever altering our perception of artistic expression. His seminal work, “Self Portrait 2,” transcends mere representation; it embodies the core tenets of Cubism and heralds the dawn of Suprematism—a revolutionary movement that prioritized pure geometric forms over any illusionistic depiction of reality. Created around 1915, this oil painting resides within the esteemed Kunstmuseum Bern, Switzerland, serving as a cornerstone of its impressive collection dedicated to avant-garde art movements.

The Essence of Cubist Fragmentation

Malevich’s artistic journey began with explorations into Impressionism, Symbolism, Fauvism, and crucially, Cubism. The Parisian encounter of 1912 proved transformative, immersing him in the burgeoning intellectual fervor surrounding Picasso and Georges Braque—artists who pioneered a radical new approach to visual art. Like his contemporaries, Malevich dismantled traditional perspective and compositional conventions, opting instead for fragmented planes and multiple viewpoints simultaneously presented on canvas. This technique isn’t merely stylistic; it reflects a profound philosophical shift toward challenging established notions of space and form. “Self Portrait 2” exemplifies this fragmentation brilliantly—the artist's face is dissected into geometric shapes, mirroring the broader Cubist preoccupation with dissecting visual experience.

Color as Declarative Expression

Beyond structural innovation, Malevich’s palette contributes significantly to the painting’s emotive power. Bold hues dominate the composition – primarily reds and whites – deliberately chosen to convey a sense of urgency and spiritual intensity. These colors aren't used descriptively; they serve as expressive symbols, mirroring the artist’s desire to communicate ideas rather than simply capturing appearances. The stark contrast between red and white underscores Malevich’s belief in the primacy of color as a vehicle for conveying emotion and intellect—a concept central to Suprematism’s philosophical underpinning.

Symbolism Within Geometric Form

The prominent white cross emblazoned on Malevich's hat is more than just an accessory; it functions as a potent visual symbol representing faith and spiritual purity – concepts deeply ingrained in Russian Orthodox tradition, which profoundly influenced Malevich’s worldview. This deliberate inclusion elevates “Self Portrait 2” beyond mere geometric abstraction, imbuing it with layers of cultural significance. It speaks to the artist's yearning for transcendence and his conviction that art could serve as a conduit for spiritual contemplation.

A Legacy Enduring Inspiration

“Self Portrait 2,” alongside works by Picasso’s Dora Maar and Leger’s Smokers, demonstrates the pervasive influence of Cubist techniques across European artistic circles during this period. These artists sought to liberate painting from representational constraints, mirroring Malevich's pioneering spirit. Reproductions of “Self Portrait 2” are available on ArtsDot.com, offering art enthusiasts and collectors alike the opportunity to experience firsthand the transformative power of geometric abstraction—a legacy that continues to inspire creativity and provoke contemplation today.

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
Explore artworks organized by themes, styles, and characteristics.