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

Kazimir Malevich’s 1933 ‘Self-Portrait’ showcases Suprematism’s bold geometric forms & expressive impasto. Explore this pivotal work of Ukrainian avant-garde art.

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

Reproduction Medium

Reproduction Size

-

Total Price

$ 263

Quick Facts

  • subject: Portrait of a man
  • medium: Oil on canvas (likely)
  • dimensions: 73 x 66 cm
  • year: 1933
  • title: Self-Portrait
  • movement: Expressionism, Suprematism, Cubism

Art Quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
Kazimir Malevich is best known as the founder of what art movement?
Question 2:
In what year was this 'Self-Portrait' by Malevich created?
Question 3:
The style of this portrait is most strongly influenced by which two movements?
Question 4:
What is a prominent characteristic of the brushwork and texture in this painting?
Question 5:
The use of bold colors and angular shapes contributes to what overall feeling in the portrait?

Artwork Description

A Glimpse into Modernity: Kazimir Malevich’s 1933 Self-Portrait

This striking self-portrait by Kazimir Malevich, painted in 1933, offers a compelling window into the mind of one of the 20th century's most revolutionary artists. Measuring 73 x 66 cm, this work is not merely a likeness but a powerful statement about identity, artistic evolution, and the anxieties of a changing world.

Subject & Composition

The painting presents a close-up view of Malevich himself – a man in middle age, gazing directly at the viewer with an intensity that is both challenging and introspective. He’s adorned in a vibrant red cap and a richly patterned robe, elements which immediately draw the eye and suggest a degree of formality or even status. The composition centers tightly on his face and upper torso, minimizing background distractions. A muted beige backdrop serves to amplify the figure, while the shallow depth of field further focuses attention on Malevich’s presence.

Style & Technique: Echoes of Revolution

The stylistic choices are pivotal. While rooted in portraiture, this is no traditional representation. The influence of both Cubism and Expressionism is palpable. Bold, angular lines define the geometric patterns within the robe, fracturing its form and contributing to a sense of dynamic energy. Impasto-like textures, achieved through thick application of oil paint, create a tactile quality that invites closer inspection. The flattened perspective – a hallmark of early modern art – rejects traditional spatial recession in favor of emphasizing the two-dimensionality of the canvas. Visible brushstrokes and layered colors demonstrate Malevich’s deliberate engagement with the materiality of painting itself.

Historical Context & Artistic Evolution

Kazimir Malevich (1878-1935) was a Ukrainian artist who fundamentally altered the course of abstract art. Born into a Polish family in Kyiv, he initially explored Impressionism, Symbolism, and Cubism before forging his own path with Suprematism. This movement, which prioritized basic geometric forms and “pure feeling,” aimed to transcend representational art altogether. By 1933, however, the political climate in Russia had shifted dramatically under Stalin. Modernist movements were falling out of favor, and Malevich was increasingly pressured to abandon abstraction. This self-portrait, painted towards the end of his life, reflects this tension – a return to figuration, yet still imbued with the stylistic hallmarks of his earlier revolutionary work.

Symbolism & Emotional Impact

The robe’s intricate patterns and bold color choices can be interpreted as symbolic representations of status or authority, perhaps a subtle nod to Malevich's former prominence within the avant-garde. However, the distorted features and intense gaze also convey a sense of unease and emotional weight. The painting is not simply *about* Malevich; it’s an exploration of his inner state – a portrait of an artist grappling with artistic compromise and political repression. The overall effect is one of deliberate abstraction combined with a slightly unsettling, dramatic quality.

For Collectors & Designers

This self-portrait offers more than just aesthetic appeal; it’s a piece of art history. Its bold forms and striking color palette make it a captivating focal point for any collection or interior space. The painting's complex interplay between abstraction and figuration lends itself well to both modern and eclectic design schemes, adding depth and intellectual resonance to any environment.
  • Ideal for: Modernist collections, statement pieces in living rooms or studies.
  • Color Palette: Red, beige, and a range of muted tones create a sophisticated contrast.
  • Style Compatibility: Complements minimalist, mid-century modern, and eclectic interiors.

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.