The Knifegrinder (Principle of Glittering)

Kazimir Malevich

1912–13 · Oil on canvas · Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven

Size2:3 ratio

Frame

$59Unframed print · made to order

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Complete the setHangs well with these two

This print

The Knifegrinder (Principle of Glittering)

Mystic Suprematism (Black Cross on Red Oval)

Suprematism

3 × $59 at 16 × 24 in, unframed = $177 → $159.30 as a set · 10% included · free shipping

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Giclée-printed to order on heavyweight matte fine-art paper

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About this work

Artist: Kazimir Malevich (1879–1935)
Year: 1912–13
Medium: Oil on canvas
Original size: 79.5 × 79.5 cm
Collection: Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven
Movement: Cubo-Futurism

A knife grinder works at his wheel, but his hands, feet, the blade and the staircase behind him are multiplied and splintered into dozens of overlapping fragments in blue, rust, green and metallic grey, as if the scene had been photographed many times in a fraction of a second. The repetition makes the eye feel the motion of the treadle and the flicker of light on steel, which the subtitle, Principle of Glittering, names. Malevich painted it in 1912–13, at the peak of his Cubo-Futurist period, when he was closest to the Italian Futurists' interest in speed and simultaneous movement. It is one of the most complex works of that phase, made shortly before he turned to pure abstraction. Katherine Dreier's Société Anonyme gave it to the Yale University Art Gallery in 1941.

This print reproduces the whole work, uncropped, from a high-resolution scan of the original. The original is in the public domain.

Where it works

A knife grinder splintered into repeated fragments of blue, rust, green and steel grey, for a workshop, study or home office at 16×24 in black. A warm grey, white or deep blue wall; it pairs with The Woodcutter.

Style, size & framing detail

Style: Cubo-Futurism painting
Era: 20th century (1912–13)
Orientation: Portrait
Mood: classic
Rooms: study or library, home office, living room, dining room
Good gift for: housewarming, art lovers

Size. We'd hang this one at 16×24. Prints at 12×18, 16×24 in — 12×18 for a shelf, desk or a gallery-wall grid; 16×24 above a desk, console or in a hallway.

Framing. The gallery ground is part of the print, so frame it without a mat — natural wood flatters the lighter palette; black sharpens it.

Pairing. Pairs as a set of three with other famous painting prints (10% off three or more).

Details & materials

• Restored in-house from the original painting — cleaned and colour-trued at museum resolution • Heavyweight matte fine-art paper, giclée printed at 300 DPI • Sizes: 12×18, 16×24 in; every size also available framed • Framed option: wood frame in black or natural wood, 12 mm wide and 22 mm deep, with a plexiglass front and no mat; the print is mounted inside and the frame's outside measures the listed size • Made to order; colours may vary slightly from screen

Shipping & returns

Printed after you order at the facility nearest you, then shipped. Standard delivery is free and takes 4–9 business days from order to door in the US, UK and EU (up to 10 elsewhere); Express takes 4–6 business days. Because each print is made to order we don't take change-of-mind returns, but if it arrives damaged or flawed we'll reprint or refund it — no return needed. Full policy →

Is this the whole painting, or a crop?

The whole work, uncropped. The image fills the print at the painting's own proportions; nothing is trimmed to fit a frame.

Is The Knifegrinder (Principle of Glittering) in the public domain?

Yes. Kazimir Malevich (1879–1935) died more than 70 years ago and the work was published before 1929, so the painting itself is public domain. This print is a reproduction made from a high-resolution scan of the original, which is held by Yale University Art Gallery.

What is it printed on?

Heavyweight matte fine-art paper with pigment inks, made to order in 12×18 and 16×24 inches; every size is also offered framed in black or natural wood, with plexiglass and no mat. Colours are matched to the scan, not brightened.

When was The Knifegrinder (Principle of Glittering) painted, and in what medium?

The Knifegrinder (Principle of Glittering) dates from 1912–13 and was made in oil on canvas; the original measures 79.5 × 79.5 cm.

What size works above a sofa or bed?

Across a three-seat sofa or a queen bed, 16×24 is the size that reads as one statement piece; 12×18 suits a narrower wall or a pair. For The Knifegrinder (Principle of Glittering) we'd choose 16×24.

About this design

The Knifegrinder (Principle of Glittering) (Kazimir Malevich) — The Knifegrinder (Principle of Glittering) · Kazimir Malevich · 1912–13. This is a fine-art reproduction of a public-domain masterwork, shown whole and uncropped on a gallery ground, printed to order on heavyweight matte fine-art paper. Every size is offered unframed or framed in black or natural wood. Part of the Madten Fine Art Collection. — — — Printed to order and shipped by our production partner, Gelato.

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The Madten promise

Gallery-grade archival giclée. Rich pigment inks on heavyweight fine-art paper (or gallery-wrapped canvas) — built to last, not a poster-shop print.

Arrives perfect or we reprint it — free. Every piece is made to order; if it shows up damaged or flawed we remake it, no return needed.

Free worldwide shipping. Made & shipped from the facility nearest you — most orders arrive in 4–9 business days.

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