1. Read the article, consult a dictionary if necessary.
ARTISTIC TRADITIONS IN UKRAINE
A As far as the development of art of painting in Ukraine is concerned, one should remember that the early period referred to icon-painting, that began to develop in Kyivan Rus in the end of the 10th century after Prince Volodymyr had baptised the state. Icon painters — mostly monks — depicted Christ, the Virgin, angels and saints. Byzantine traditions were a model. Mosaic and frescos of St Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv are the most distinguished among the memorials of that period. The icon The Virgin of Volyn’ which is regarded a masterpiece belongs to the period of the Old Rus State the Halychyna-Volyn’.
B Portrait painting as a separate genre appeared during the Renaissance (the 16th century) and was strongly influenced by the icon tradition. The first portraits included portrayals of nobles and Cossack chiefs.
C Many Ukrainian painters were attracted to the new Academy of Arts in St Petersburg (1757), which cultivated the classicist style of painting then popular in Europe. Well-known Ukrainian artists of that period are D. Levytskyi, K. Holovachevskyi, V. Borovykovskyi.
D Ukrainian art of the middle of the 19th century was closely connected with the name of T. Shevchenko, who dedicated most of his painting to Ukrainian interests. He was considered the father of modern Ukrainian painting. Shevchenko painted numerous portraits, self-portraits and landscapes with many architectural monuments of Ukraine. During the 19th century a landscape painting appeared as a separate genre, and not only in the works of Shevchenko. Inspired by romanticism, I. Sochenko, A. Kuindzhi, I. Aivazovskyi, S. Vasylkivskyi and I. Pokhytonov dedicated their efforts to depicting rural scenery at it most beautiful.
E At that time Ukraine was called the East European Italy. Artists from Russia and European countries visited Ukraine to enrich themselves with new themes and images. One of such artists was Vasyl Schternberg, a friend of Shevchenko, a master of lyrical landscape.
F The Odesa art school and the Kyiv drawing school played an important role at the beginning of the 20th century. Outstanding artists such as Mykola Murashko and Mykola Pymonenko were prominent representatives of that time. Some artists of Ukrainian origin who taught in Kyiv School were Mikhail Vrubel, Vasilii Vasnitsov and Illia Repin.
G Ukrainian art of the turn of the 20th century could not avoid the influence of the leading European art trends — impressionism and avant-garde tendencies. Kharkiv School of 1910-1930, where artists were under the influence of constructivism, was notable for its originality. It was represented by A. Petrytskyi and V. Yermylov. O. Ekster spread the ideas of cubiform futurism in painting and worked in Kyiv. O. Bohomazov experimented with abstraction; Yurii Mykhailiv continued the traditions of the symbolists. Worldwide known Kazimir Malevich spoke of the influence of Ukrainian baroque and icon painting on his works. An original phenomenon of the early 20th century was Mykhailo Boichuk Art School. It combined the traditions of folk picture, local primitive painting and the principles of religious art.
H Ukrainian art of the Soviet period is represented by many talented painters: T. Yablonska, Y. Bokchai, O. Shovkunenko, R. Selskyi, S. Shyshko, V. Zaretskyi and many others. M. Pryimachenko became a unique phenomenon having no analogues in the world art. She is considered to be a classic of Ukrainian folk art.
I The present-day Ukrainian art is developing in harmony with the world art. The national theme remains topical in painting — in thematic and historical pictures, landscapes, associative and formalistic works.
2. b) Read the article again and refer its paragraphs (A-I) to the questions (1-9). (6 points)
1 Who is considered to be the father of the modern Ukrainian painting?
2 What period is connected with the development of abstraction and symbolism?
3 What genre of painting was under the strong influence of Byzantine traditions?
4 What are the tendencies of the present-day Ukrainian art?
5 What art schools played an important role at the beginning of the 20th century?
6 Why was Ukraine called the East European Italy?
7 When did portrait painting appear as a separate genre?
8 Who represented Ukrainian painting art of the Soviet period?
9 What style did Academy of Arts in St Petersburg cultivate?
Ответы
Відповідь:
1) T. Shevchenko is considered to be the father of modern Ukrainian painting. (Paragraph D)
2) Abstraction and symbolism were developed in the early 20th century, particularly by artists like O. Bohomazov and Yurii Mykhailiv. (Paragraph G)
3) Icon-painting was under the strong influence of Byzantine traditions, depicting Christ, the Virgin, angels and saints. (Paragraph A)
4) The national theme remains topical in present-day Ukrainian painting, in thematic and historical pictures, landscapes, associative and formalistic works. (Paragraph I)
5) The Odesa art school and the Kyiv drawing school played an important role at the beginning of the 20th century. (Paragraph F)
6) Ukraine was called the East European Italy because artists from Russia and European countries visited Ukraine to enrich themselves with new themes and images. (Paragraph E)
7) Portrait painting as a separate genre appeared during the Renaissance, in the 16th century. (Paragraph B)
8) Ukrainian painting art of the Soviet period is represented by many talented painters, including T. Yablonska, Y. Bokchai, O. Shovkunenko, R. Selskyi, S. Shyshko, and V. Zaretskyi. (Paragraph H)
9) Academy of Arts in St Petersburg cultivated the classicist style of painting then popular in Europe. (Paragraph C)