Family

The influence of symbolism in the creation of Kliun lasted longer than it had in the case of Malevich. If Malevich in 1908 was already at the end of his short symbolist period, Kliun was in the middle of this period, which continued until the beginning of 1910. Unlike the symbolist light material works of 1905-10, which have a close connection with Russian traditions, in The Family the stylistic features that dominate are borrowed from French painting. The monochrome background, the broad contours separating surfaces of local colour, the interplay of red, yellow and brown and the plasticity of the pose all recall Gauguin's techniques. After working out the composition in drafts, the artist achieved simple and solid forms that express with inner intensity and deep inner commitment.