Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Arithmetics

Kazimir Malevich, 1913

Name Class Date
Kazimir Malevich, Arithmetics (1913). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Kazimir Malevich originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/kazimir-malevich/
Artist’s dates
1878 – 1935
Painted
1913
Medium
Acrylic On Canvas
Original size
12 x 8 cm
Movement
Suprematist Art
Period
Modern
Artistic style
Abstract
Influences
Folk art, European avant-garde
Notable elements
Geometric shapes
Subject or theme
Geometric abstraction

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Kazimir Malevich died in 1935; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2005.

Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 11, 2026

Arithmetics — Kazimir Malevich Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Arithmetics — Kazimir Malevich

How big is it?

The original measures 12 × 8 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1870
  2. 1880
  3. 1890
  4. 1900
  5. 1910
  6. 1920
  7. 1930

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 57 at death.

Painted when the artist was 35. The artist lived to 57. 48 of the 280 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Kazimir Malevich (1878–1935) ▲ this work, 1913 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1913 Main working years: 1913–1927 Late works: from 1927

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/kazimir-malevich-arithmetics-8XYDED-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Espresso #595c5e

    Catalogued palette

    • #595C5E
    • #DDDFE1
    • #9EA2A4
    • #1E2122

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Neutrals The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Espresso
    Intensity
    Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Softly Mixed Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Brilliant How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Kazimir Malevich over the last twelve months — 68 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 51.5%70,200 visits
    2. 2 United States of America 8.0%10,900 visits
    3. 3 Hong Kong 6.4%8,700 visits
    4. 4 Singapore 5.9%8,000 visits
    5. 5 Italy 2.5%3,400 visits
    6. 6 France 2.3%3,100 visits
    7. 7 Mexico 2.1%2,800 visits
    8. 8 Germany 1.8%2,500 visits
    9. 9 Spain 1.7%2,300 visits
    10. 10 United Kingdom 1.7%2,300 visits
    11. · 58 other countries 16.1%22,200 visits

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Kazimir Malevich

    1. 1 Suprematist Composition, 1916 11.0%20,600 visits
    2. 2 Black Square, 1915 4.6%8,600 visits
    3. 3 An Englishman in Moscow 2.3%4,300 visits
    4. 4 Woman with Pails Dynamic Arrangement 2.2%4,200 visits
    5. 5 Suprematism, 1916 1.3%2,400 visits
    6. 6 Self-Portrait, 1910 1.2%2,300 visits
    7. 7 Taking in the Rye 1.2%2,300 visits
    8. 8 Suprematism. Nonobjective Composition 1.2%2,200 visits
    9. 9 Stroyuschiysya dom [House under construction], 1915 1.1%2,100 visits
    10. 10 Four Square, 1915 1.0%1,900 visits
    11. 11 Suprematist Composition: White on White, 1918 1.0%1,800 visits
    12. 12 Black circle 0.9%1,700 visits
    13. 13 Sin titulo 0.9%1,700 visits
    14. 14 Black Cross, 1923 0.9%1,700 visits
    15. 15 Black circle [1913] State Russian Museum,, 1929 0.9%1,600 visits
    16. 16 Suprematism. Self-portrait in two dimensions 0.9%1,600 visits
    17. 17 Stage Design, Act 1, Scene 3 0.9%1,600 visits
    18. 18 suprematism fine arts museum, krasnodar, 1917 0.8%1,500 visits
    19. 19 Composition with the Mona Lisa, 1914 0.7%1,400 visits
    20. — Arithmetics, 1913 this painting 0.0%0 visits

    Together these works take 35.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 508 works by this artist, of which 386 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 11, 2026

    Arithmetics — Kazimir Malevich Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    Arithmetics — Kazimir Malevich

    Kazimir Malevich’s “Arithmetics”: A Geometric Revelation

    The photograph presented here offers an intimate glimpse into "Arithmetics," a seminal work by Kazimir Malevich, completed in 1913 and embodying the radical shift that would define his career as one of the pioneers of abstract art. This deceptively simple composition – a carefully orchestrated arrangement of circles, triangles, and lines – represents far more than mere geometric forms; it’s a profound statement about perception, space, and the very nature of reality. Malevich, born in Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine in 1878, arrived at this pivotal moment through a fascinating journey of artistic exploration, initially influenced by Ukrainian folk traditions before embracing the dynamism of European avant-garde movements.

    Decoding the Visual Language

    “Arithmetics” is a masterclass in reduction. Malevich strips away all representational elements, leaving only pure geometric shapes. The overlapping circles, seemingly random at first glance, create an illusion of depth and volume, challenging traditional notions of perspective. The strategically placed triangles – one assertive on the left, the other balanced on the right – introduce a dynamic tension, hinting at movement and instability within the otherwise static arrangement. This deliberate ambiguity invites the viewer to actively participate in constructing meaning from the artwork itself. The monochrome palette further intensifies the focus on form and structure, echoing the austerity of early Russian Constructivism.

    Historical Context & Suprematism

    Created at the dawn of the 20th century, “Arithmetics” emerged during a period of intense artistic experimentation. Malevich’s work aligns with the broader movement of Suprematism, which he himself founded – a philosophy and art form dedicated to expressing pure feeling through geometric forms. This painting reflects the growing disillusionment with traditional representational art and the desire to create a new visual language based on fundamental principles. The 1912 trip to Paris was crucial, exposing Malevich to Cubism’s fragmentation of space and influencing his subsequent exploration of non-objective art.

    Symbolic Resonance & Emotional Impact

    Beyond its formal qualities, “Arithmetics” possesses a powerful symbolic resonance. The geometric shapes can be interpreted as representing the building blocks of the universe – fundamental forces distilled into their purest forms. The work’s impact lies in its ability to evoke a sense of both order and chaos, stability and dynamism. It's a visual meditation on the relationship between mathematics, art, and human perception. This reproduction offers an opportunity to own a piece of art history, a testament to Malevich’s revolutionary vision, and a captivating addition to any discerning collection or interior space.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 11, 2026

    Arithmetics — Kazimir Malevich Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Kazimir Malevich

    Born in Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine

    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.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Arithmetics

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/kazimir-malevich-arithmetics-8XYDED-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Malevich, Kazimir. Arithmetics. 1913, https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/kazimir-malevich-arithmetics-8XYDED-en/
    APA
    Malevich, Kazimir (1913). Arithmetics [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/kazimir-malevich-arithmetics-8XYDED-en/
    Chicago
    Kazimir Malevich. Arithmetics. 1913. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/kazimir-malevich-arithmetics-8XYDED-en/
    Harvard
    Malevich, Kazimir (1913) Arithmetics. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/kazimir-malevich-arithmetics-8XYDED-en/

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 11, 2026

    Arithmetics — Kazimir Malevich Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Arithmetics — Kazimir Malevich

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: geometric shapes, malevich, circles. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Suprematist Composition (1916), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Kazimir Malevich was about 35 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 11, 2026

    Arithmetics — Kazimir Malevich Part 5 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    What historical period is "Arithmetics" by Kazimir Malevich from?

    "Arithmetics" by Kazimir Malevich dates from the Modern period. The period gives the historical context of the work.

    Where can I see a preview of "Arithmetics"?

    To preview a reproduction of "Arithmetics" by Kazimir Malevich, open the artwork's Preview page.

    Who is the artist behind "Arithmetics"?

    "Arithmetics" is attributed to Kazimir Malevich.