Liubov Popova Untitled from Six Prints c. 1917–19

  • Not on view

Popova was an avant-garde pioneer in Russia in the 1910s and 1920s. Her style combines floating abstract forms inspired in part by Cubist collage (which she encountered on a trip to Paris in 1912–13) and Suprematism, an abstract style developed by her friend and compatriot Kazimir Malevich, together with an assertive color palette derived in part from Russian folk art.

This rare series is an example of what Popova called "painterly architectonics." Her aim was to depict physical and spatial dynamism by layering her shapes so they would seem to be continually shifting and rotating. The portfolio format enhances this effect, as the energy of each sheet seems to influence the push and pull in the others.

Gallery label from Geo/Metric: Prints and Drawings from the Collection, June 11–August 18, 2008.
Medium
Linoleum cut with watercolor and gouache additions from a portfolio of seven linoleum cuts (including title page), all with watercolor and gouache, and one with oil additions
Dimensions
composition (irreg.): 13 7/16 x 10 1/4" (34.1 x 26 cm); sheet: 13 1/4 x 9 15/16" (33.6 x 25.2 cm)
Publisher
unpublished
Printer
Liubov Popova
Edition
2 known
Credit
General Print Fund, Edgar Wachenheim III Fund, and Harvey S. Shipley Miller Fund and by exchange: Nina and Gordon Bunshaft Bequest and Gift of Victor S. Riesenfeld
Object number
128.2007.7
Portfolio
Six Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints

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