Lot 46
  • 46

Lissitzky, El.

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Description

  • Pro Dva kvadrata. Suprematicheskii skaz v 6-ti postroikakh [Of Two Squares. A Suprematist tale in six constructions]. Berlin: "Skythen", 1922
4to (278 x 222mm.), printed in red and black, 6 full-page designs, preliminary and end leaves and typographic layout by Lissitzky, original decorative printed wrappers by Lissitzky, contemporary bookseller stamp on lower cover 

Literature

Ex-Libris 156; The Russian Avant-Garde Book 405

Catalogue Note

This important and famous story-book for children was conceived in Vitebsk in 1920 and is dedicated "to all, all children" and represents the imposition of the order of clarity (red square) over the order of chaos (black square). The reference to the triumph of the Red Bolsheviks over the old order in the Russian Revolution is also apparent. This remarkable work uses colour, Constructivist forms and typographic experimentation to portray movement and action and is reminiscent of Lissitzky's experiments with the Prouns in which dynamic geometric forms interact in space.