Malevich Print, Supremus No. 58, Luggage Tag

Suprematism is an abstract art movement founded by Kazimir Malevich around 1915 that focuses on simple compositions using geometric shapes and bold colours set against a white background. The term “Suprematism” reflects Malevich’s belief that this style represents a higher, more pure reality beyond traditional artistic representation. A key example of this movement is Malevich’s 1916 painting Supremus No. 58, Yellow and Black. This work features an arrangement of geometric shapes in striking yellow and black hues, deliberately avoiding any recognisable subject matter. Instead of depicting objects or scenes, Suprematism seeks to convey pure emotion and sensation through form and colour alone. The movement gained prominence with the 1915 Last Futurist Exhibition of Paintings 0.10 in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg), where Malevich’s works like Supremus No. 58 were showcased. This exhibition is considered the first major public presentation of purely abstract art, marking a pivotal moment in the development of modernism.