From Proun

Accession Number
1969/2.55

Title
From Proun

Artist(s)
El Lissitzky

Artist Nationality
Russian (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1923

Medium & Support
lithograph on paper

Dimensions
23 3/4 in x 17 3/16 in (60.3 cm x 43.7 cm);28 1/16 in x 22 1/16 in (71.28 cm x 56.04 cm);23 3/4 in x 17 3/16 in (60.33 cm x 43.66 cm)

Credit Line
The Paul Leroy Grigaut Memorial Collection

Subject matter
"Proun" is a word that El Lissitzky invented in 1919. He kept the exact definition of it to himself. Lissitzky produced a series of paintings and lithographs throughout the 1920s with "proun" in the title. They resemble this in their clear, perspectival, geometric shapes. Some scholars argue that the word is meant to encompass elements of paintings, architecture, and graphic work and combine all of them into one style while others believe it is an acronym for "project for the affirmation of the new" in Russian. 

Physical Description
This abstract composition of layered geometric shapes shows a large yellow rectangle on the left and a black rectangle on the right forming the base/background layer. On top of them is another yellow rectangle of a slightly darker shade and a thin rectangular box to the right. One horizontal rectangle divides the top third of the composition.

Primary Object Classification
Print

Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Abstract (fine arts style)
Non-Representational Art
Russian (culture or style)
abstraction
architectural drawings
geometric shape
modern and contemporary art

5 Related Resources

All Artists in the Degenerate Art Show
(Part of 2 Learning Collections)
Art of interest to Judaic Studies
(Part of 3 Learning Collections)
Constructivism and Associated Works
(Part of 2 Learning Collections)
Architectural representation
(Part of: Architecture and Buildings)
“Forward, Uncle Sam!” Novoe Vremia, June 12, 1903.
(Part of: The Eagle and the Bear)

& Author Notes

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