Considered to be one of Russia’s most well known avant-garde painters, Kazimir Malevich, born and raised in Ukraine to Polish parents is still making a name for himself.  A painting done by Malevich in 1916 called ‘Suprematist Composition’ sold at auction in New York City for $60 million, showing that people still appreciate their culture even during a global financial crisis.  The painting had been displayed in Amsterdam’s Stedelijk Museum for years and was eventually returned to Malevich’s family before being sold at Sotherby’s for the highest amount ever paid for a painting out of the area formerly known as the Soviet Union.

The painting was originally unveiled at a 1919-1920 exhibit in Moscow.  In 1927 the painting with the artist in tow travelled to Warsaw and Berlin to other exhibitions and Malevich introduced the world to his art.  The painting was left in Germany when he returned to the Soviet Union in 1927.  He was prevented from leaving the Soviet Union and the painting – with all of the others Malevich left behind – eventually made their way to the museum in Amsterdam before eventually being returned to the family.  Other well known works by Malevich include ‘Black Square’ and ‘Black Cross’.  Malevich died in 1935.