Three Girls 1932

Kazimir Malevich painted *Three Girls* with oil on canvas, but we don't know when exactly. The figures are blocky, flattened, almost like paper dolls, with their striking use of just a few, simple colours that create a real sense of balance. The paint application is interesting; it's almost like he’s building up these layers, but not to create depth or texture, instead everything’s very flat. The surfaces feel like they've been scrubbed or rubbed, which gives a kind of matt finish. What I really love is the way he divides the faces right down the middle, so each is half light and half dark. It's a simple gesture, but it completely transforms how we see these figures; the effect is both striking and a little unsettling. Malevich's approach to form and color here reminds me a little of Léger, in terms of how he simplifies and flattens figures. But Malevich takes it further, into a territory that feels more mystical, more symbolic. Ultimately, this piece stands as a testament to the power of simplicity, and the magic that can happen when we embrace ambiguity.