Also known as Nonobjectivism, Suprematism is an art movement founded in Russia in 1913. Its most important proponent was Kazimir Malewich (1878-1935) who also authored Suprematist manifesto in 1915.

Wether suprematism was influenced by cubism or not, it is characteristic for its use of non-objects using purely abstract and/or geometric shapes in its compositions. With its pure colours it was conceived in so-called ‘pure feelings’. Alexander Rodchenko (1891-1956) worked informed by the same idea but called the movement Nonobjectivism. Many other artists working in a similar fashion were associated with constructivism and geometric abstraction later. Many of the contemporary Russian artists ended up migrating due to a Soviet and Stalisnist u-turn on the former acceptance of abstract art.

During Stalin’s era the style of Socialist Realism was established for the arts, which meant that the previous revolutionary abstract art was discouraged and derided as “formalism”.