El Lissitzky

Fig 1. Proun N 89 (1925) www.poulwebb.blogspot.com

El Lissitzky was a Russian artist, photographer, designer, typographer, polemicist and architect.

Lissitzky was well known for his work on suprematism, an art movement focused on basic geometric shapes.

Lissitzky believed that an artist is an 'agent for change' which can be seen in his propaganda works for the Soviet Union. A great example is his work "Beat the whites with the Red Wedge". During Russia's civil war the 'Reds' (Communists and revolutionaries) and 'Whites' (Monarchs, Conservatives, liberals and socialists) are represented in this art by the red triangle smashing the white form.

Fig.2 Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge (1920) www.designishistory.com

Born in 1890 he originally studied architectural engineering before spending time in Europe teaching himself about fine art and sketching. Lissitzky also had a passion for ancient Jewish culture which lead him into a career illustrating Jewish children's books, trying to promote Jewish culture as Russia had just replaced its anti Semitic laws.

During 1919 Lissitzky was invited to teach graphic arts and printing in Vitebsk by Marc Chagall, Chagall also invited Kazimir Malevich who began developing his ideas on suprematism, which ultimately lead to Lissitzky also subscribing to suprematism.

During 1920 Malevich and Lissitzky formed a group called Molposnovis, a proto-suprematist group of students, professors and other artists. This group later re-emerged as UNOVIS and all credit for works of art created by the group was shared between them. Members also wore a black squares as chest badges, which was also their group signature. The group split in 1922.

Lissitsky went on to develop his own suprematist style which consisted of geometric paintings he called 'Proun'(s) which Lissitzky defined as "the station where one changes from painting to architecture." (Design is History, n.d.) The full meaning was never revealed.

Suprematism was mainly expressed through 2D shapes, however Lisstzky went passed this and incorporated 3D shapes into his work.

Lissitsky continued along this artistic pathway for many years, also sticking to his roots in Jewish illustration by occasionally adding Jewish symbols into his pieces.

Lissitzky also developed architectural ideas such as 'Horizontal Skyscrapers' which was only ever used one building.

Lissitsky continued his work until his death with his last work being a propaganda poster for Russia during World War II.


Design is History, (n.d.) El Lissitzky [online] available at: http://www.designishistory.com/1920/el-lissitzky/ [last accessed on 18/11/2014]

The Art Story (n.d.) El Lissitsky Biography [online] available at: http://www.theartstory.org/artist-lissitzky-el.htm [last accessed on 18/11/2014]

Fig 1. Proun N 89 (1925) [image online] available at: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_C4Om27_TkgWkAYKNYaEiD5RgISgh3KR93jUKkmlImC4kQXSa0ig6tJANYTzjjTtklsZhkE_4KLwJEYMm1Et__gwsjSFCWjXICKM6uTMDarN7ntNdzhSf_HCBF9b9zGI-GSUw42JCfXO/s640/1925+Proun+N+89+collage,+tempera+50+x+65+cm.jpg [last accessed on 18/11/2014]

Fig. 2 Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge (1920) [image online] available at: http://www.designishistory.com/images/lissitzky/BeatTheWhites.jpg [last accessed on 18/11/2014]