Space-Force Construction 1921

Lyubov Popova made this painting titled Space-Force Construction using oil paint and probably some brushes and maybe a rag or two. The dominant colour is brown, moving through different shades and tones from golden yellow, to tan, to rich chocolate. It feels like I’m looking at something geological, as if I am deep inside the earth's core. I can imagine Popova layering, scraping, and reworking the paint with great energy. The composition is a mix of geometric shapes and swirling lines—circles within circles. This pushes and pulls in all directions, creating a sense of dynamism. I feel like Popova is trying to create a new visual language. This language is influenced by movements like Cubism and Futurism. It's all about breaking down forms and representing movement, energy, and the spirit of modernity. These artists are all responding to each other, trying to move painting forward, asking: What can painting do? What can it be? How can it reflect the world?