1996 Pair of Russian Constructivist Plates by Wladimir Njemuchin for Villeroy & Boch (No. 2 “Valet de Carreau” and No. 3 “Joker”)

$2,200.00
Two vibrant, collector-grade plates in the signature style of Russian avant‑garde abstraction. Visually and conceptually, they nod to the early 20th‑century Constructivist movement and the iconic "Jack of Diamonds" group, reinterpreted through Njemuchin’s cold‑war sensibility. With crisp graphics, bold shapes, and a limited‑edition format, these are decorative artworks perfectly suited for wall display or curated collection pieces. 12″ diameter each, signed (likely part of a set of four). Wladimir Njemuchin (1925–2016) was considered a rebel because he defied the strict artistic controls of the Soviet Union. During a time when Socialist Realism was the only state-approved style—glorifying factories, workers, and Communist leaders—Njemuchin instead painted abstract compositions, often using playing cards as recurring motifs. This wasn’t just aesthetic rebellion; it was political. Abstract art was viewed as Western, elitist, even subversive. By refusing to conform, Nemukhin became a leading figure in the Nonconformist Art Movement (also known as the Second Russian Avant-Garde), working alongside dissidents like Oscar Rabin and Lydia Masterkova. He risked censorship, harassment, and blacklisting to exhibit underground and abroad, including the infamous 1962 “Bulldozer Exhibition”, where authorities literally destroyed non-state-sanctioned artwork with bulldozers. Njemuchin’s persistence helped carve out space for intellectual and visual freedom behind the Iron Curtain—making him a rebel not just in form, but in principle. Condition is mint. These have added hangers on the back. Replace or keep. I do not know the stability of these hooks. Use at your own risk. Check out some of my other fine art offerings: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=shop_sugg§ion_id=14973859 Or just wander around the shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=shop_sugg
Two vibrant, collector-grade plates in the signature style of Russian avant‑garde abstraction. Visually and conceptually, they nod to the early 20th‑century Constructivist movement and the iconic "Jack of Diamonds" group, reinterpreted through Njemuchin’s cold‑war sensibility. With crisp graphics, bold shapes, and a limited‑edition format, these are decorative artworks perfectly suited for wall display or curated collection pieces. 12″ diameter each, signed (likely part of a set of four). Wladimir Njemuchin (1925–2016) was considered a rebel because he defied the strict artistic controls of the Soviet Union. During a time when Socialist Realism was the only state-approved style—glorifying factories, workers, and Communist leaders—Njemuchin instead painted abstract compositions, often using playing cards as recurring motifs. This wasn’t just aesthetic rebellion; it was political. Abstract art was viewed as Western, elitist, even subversive. By refusing to conform, Nemukhin became a leading figure in the Nonconformist Art Movement (also known as the Second Russian Avant-Garde), working alongside dissidents like Oscar Rabin and Lydia Masterkova. He risked censorship, harassment, and blacklisting to exhibit underground and abroad, including the infamous 1962 “Bulldozer Exhibition”, where authorities literally destroyed non-state-sanctioned artwork with bulldozers. Njemuchin’s persistence helped carve out space for intellectual and visual freedom behind the Iron Curtain—making him a rebel not just in form, but in principle. Condition is mint. These have added hangers on the back. Replace or keep. I do not know the stability of these hooks. Use at your own risk. Check out some of my other fine art offerings: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=shop_sugg§ion_id=14973859 Or just wander around the shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=shop_sugg