With Full Force - Lyubov Popova

A dynamic abstract composition by Lyubov Popova featuring intersecting geometric planes in terracotta, black, and white. This 1921 work represents the height of Russian Constructivism.

Lyubov Popova was a prominent member of the Russian Avant-Garde. This work belongs to her later period, specifically the Space-Force Construction series produced around 1921. During this period, Popova moved away from representational art to explore the physical properties of painting. She focused on the interaction of geometric shapes and the suggestion of energy through linear tension. Her work from this era reflects the broader shift in Russian art towards non-objective forms that rejected traditional perspective. The composition consists of intersecting planes that appear to slide over and under one another. Popova uses a palette of terracotta, black, white, and deep plum. The application of paint is deliberate, with visible texture that emphasises the material nature of the work. Sharp diagonals create a sense of movement, suggesting a structure that is both balanced and dynamic. The overlapping triangles and trapezoids create a shallow space where forms seem to collide or float. This creates a visual rhythm that is characteristic of her mature style. Popova called these works constructions rather than compositions. This terminology reflected her shift towards an industrial aesthetic. She viewed the artist as an engineer who organised materials in space. This approach eventually led her to abandon easel painting for textile and stage design. She believed that art should serve a functional purpose in the new Soviet society. This piece is a primary example of her contribution to Constructivism, where mathematical precision meets artistic expression. The work demonstrates her mastery of colour and form, providing a window into the radical experimentation of the early twentieth century.