The Knife Grinder (Principle of Glittering), 1912–13
Oil on canvas, 31 5/16 x 31 5/16 in. (79.5 x 79.5 cm)
Gift of Collection Société Anonyme
1941.553
In his twenties, Malevich showed the influence of two schools of painting: Cubism, which reduced forms to their geometric essences, and Futurism, which celebrated the dynamic energy of machines. The hybrid became known as Cubo-Futurism, and this painting shows a man operating the simple, portable sharpening device with which he earns his living. Malevich produced several pictures of peasants working at various tasks, yet this is his only surviving machine subject. Although abstractly drawn, the figure of the knife grinder is clearly visible. By 1914, Malevich had changed his approach radically and adopted Suprematism, a nonrepresentational type of painting typified by stark forms and spiritual intent.
For more information on the Société Anonyme Collection, please visit http://artgallery.yale.edu/socanon.
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