The Idyll

Today let's move to Ukraine. Mykola Pymonenko was a Ukrainian realist painter who lived and worked in Kyiv. One of his students was Kazimir Malevich, whose early works were influenced by Pymonenko. He is best known for his urban and rural genre scenes of farmers, country folk, and working-class people.

The Idyll shows how well the artist got the hang of painting outdoors, which helps make the natural scenes look more lively and real. In this painting, you can see how the bright summer sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a play of light and shadows on the ground. The leaves are a vibrant green and the shadows are a soft, see-through mauve, making everything look glowing with light and fresh air. This mix of sunlight and shadow makes the painting feel full of life and energy.

Exactly two years ago, Russia invaded Ukraine in a significant escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in 2014. The invasion has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, crimes against humanity, and war crimes committed by the Russians. On this day, please consider donating to some charity helping Ukraine and it's civilians. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) supporting refugees from Ukraine is a good option. We hope that idyll will appear everywhere worldwide affected by armed conflicts.

P.S. Mykola Pymonenko's works are a window into the life and culture of Ukrainian people at the turn of the 19th century. Explore his beautiful art! For more Ukrainian art, see the articles below!