suprematism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Artistic
Quick answer
What does “suprematism” mean?
An early 20th-century art movement founded by Kazimir Malevich, characterized by abstract geometric forms and a limited color palette, seeking to express pure artistic feeling rather than depict objects.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An early 20th-century art movement founded by Kazimir Malevich, characterized by abstract geometric forms and a limited color palette, seeking to express pure artistic feeling rather than depict objects.
The philosophy or principle of supremacy in any field; the advocacy of the superiority of one group, idea, or form over all others.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Strongly associated with early Soviet avant-garde art. Carries historical and political weight related to post-revolutionary Russia.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general discourse, confined to art contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “suprematism” in a Sentence
Suprematism + [verb: emerged, developed, influenced][Adjective] + Suprematism + [preposition: in, of]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “suprematism” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Suprematism was a radical break from all artistic tradition.
- The gallery is holding a lecture on the legacy of Suprematism.
American English
- Suprematism emerged in Russia around 1915.
- His work shows a clear transition from Cubism to Suprematism.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Standard term in art history, cultural studies, and history of modernism.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would only be used when discussing specific art movements.
Technical
Precise term within art criticism and theory.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “suprematism”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “suprematism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “suprematism”
- Using it as a fancy synonym for 'supremacy' in general contexts (e.g., 'the suprematism of our team' is incorrect).
- Confusing it with other abstract movements like Constructivism or De Stijl.
- Misspelling as 'supremacism' (which is related to racial supremacy).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Kazimir Malevich's 'Black Square' (1915) is the most iconic work, often described as the 'zero point of painting'.
While both are Russian abstract movements, Suprematism was purely spiritual and focused on basic geometric forms. Constructivism, which followed it, applied geometric abstraction to art with a social, utilitarian purpose (e.g., architecture, design).
Extremely rarely. Its primary and almost exclusive meaning is the art movement. Using it to mean 'the state of being supreme' is non-standard and likely to be misunderstood.
It refers to the 'supremacy of pure feeling' or perception in art, as Malevich believed the non-objective, geometric form was superior to the depiction of the visual world.
An early 20th-century art movement founded by Kazimir Malevich, characterized by abstract geometric forms and a limited color palette, seeking to express pure artistic feeling rather than depict objects.
Suprematism is usually formal, academic, artistic in register.
Suprematism: in British English it is pronounced /suːˈpremətɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /sʊˈprɛməˌtɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The Supremacy of Pure Feeling”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SUPREMatism: Think of the SUPREME importance of basic geometric shapes (squares, circles, lines) over depicting real objects.
Conceptual Metaphor
ART IS A PURIFICATION PROCESS; FORM IS SUPREME OVER CONTENT.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is a key characteristic of Suprematism?