Black Cross 1923

Kazimir Malevich made this painting, Black Cross, with oil on canvas, and it now lives in the Musée National d'Art Moderne, Paris. It’s a real statement on art-making as a process. Look at the surface. It’s not just a flat black cross on a white background; there’s a texture to it. You can see the brushstrokes, the way the paint is layered. It’s almost like he’s inviting us to see the decisions he made as he was painting. The black isn't a smooth, uniform color; it's got variations, lighter and darker areas that give it depth. And that white? It’s not just a void; it's got a presence, a weight, a kind of quiet energy. Think about Agnes Martin’s understated works. She embraced the beauty of imperfection, just like Malevich. Both artists remind us that art isn’t about perfection; it’s about the ongoing conversation, the exchange of ideas, and embracing ambiguity.