#23095 Kazimir Malevich (1879-1935)
Kazimir Malevich – #23095
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Painter: Kazimir Malevich
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The painting The Oak and the Dryads was painted by Kazimir Malevich in 1908. This period of his work is considered early, at that time he had not yet moved on to the Suprematism that made him famous all over the world. The style of this painting is defined as symbolism. The painting, in which Malevich refers to the ancient mythological subjects, at the moment is stored in one of the private collections. Many Russian and foreign artists in their works turn to the image of a mighty strong oak.
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Description of the painting "The Oak and the Dryads" by Kazimir Malevich
The painting The Oak and the Dryads was painted by Kazimir Malevich in 1908. This period of his work is considered early, at that time he had not yet moved on to the Suprematism that made him famous all over the world. The style of this painting is defined as symbolism. The painting, in which Malevich refers to the ancient mythological subjects, at the moment is stored in one of the private collections.
Many Russian and foreign artists in their works turn to the image of a mighty strong oak. "The Oak and the Dryads" by K. Malevich is a painting on a fairy-tale theme in folklore. The canvas depicts a bright red thick mighty oak with sprawling wide branches. Malevich made the oak red because of the frequent use of this color in folklore paintings.
It is also assumed that the oak is red from the redness of its autumn leaves. On the mighty branches and on the ground beneath the oak are arranged in a variety of poses girls of unusual beauty - the Dryads. They are mythical creatures. They live in the oak tree and protect it. In the picture, the dryads - the spirits of the tree - frolic, they sway merrily on the branches of the oak, jumping and dancing. Long locks of black and red hair flutter in time with their movements. One of the young dryads, after running around to her heart’s content, lies exhausted beneath the oak tree, gathering strength.
Dryads represent the soul of the tree, as long as they are here - the oak is alive and full of strength. On the light green glade at the foot of the majestic oak Malevich paints flowers in a rather schematic way.
The mighty oak, transferred to the canvas, for the artist is a symbol of life (as for many other artists, writers and poets). It is also a symbol of life for the dryads, because it is their home, a quiet and peaceful place, a haven of solitude. The symbolism of life is emphasized by the large number of huge acorns hanging from the branches of the tree. They are surrounded by a luminous halo.
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Flanking this central axis are two large, stylized entities resembling trees or totems. Their dark silhouettes are intricately ornamented with patterns that suggest organic growth and perhaps even the presence of numerous small human-like figures embedded within their structure. These figures appear to be in various states of movement – some reaching upwards, others seemingly descending.
At the base of these structures, a landscape unfolds, rendered in earthy tones of gold and brown. Here we see several animal forms – deer or antelope – depicted with simplified shapes and an almost dreamlike quality. A crescent moon is positioned near the center, partially obscured by the central red column, suggesting a connection to cycles of time or phases of existence.
The overall effect is one of profound mystery and spiritual significance. The dense arrangement of figures and symbols creates a sense of overwhelming abundance, hinting at a cosmology where human and natural realms are inextricably intertwined. The use of flattened perspective and non-naturalistic color contributes to an otherworldly atmosphere, suggesting that the scene represents not a literal depiction but rather a symbolic representation of inner states or spiritual truths.
The subtexts embedded within this work seem to explore themes of creation, transformation, and the interconnectedness of all things. The central red column could be interpreted as a life force or divine energy, while the surrounding figures and animals represent various aspects of human experience and the natural world. The crescent moon reinforces the cyclical nature of existence, suggesting that birth, death, and rebirth are integral parts of a larger cosmic process.