Read the article and pay attention to the words in bold. Consult dictionary if necessary.

ARTISTIC TRADITIONS IN UKRAINE

A. When speaking about the development of art of painting in Ukraine one should remember that the early period referred to icon-paining that began to develop in Kyivan Rus in the 10^th century after Prince Volodymyr had baptized 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 is one of the most distinguished among the memorials of that period. The icon “The Virgin of Volyn`” which is regarded as 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 (16^th century) and was strongly influenced by the icon tradition. The first portrait included portraits of nobles and Cossack chiefs.

C. Many Ukrainian painters were attracted to the new Academy of Arts in St Petersburg (1757), which cultivated the classical 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 19^th century was closely connected with the name of T. Shevchenko, who devoted 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 landscape painting appeared as a separate genre, and not only in the works of Shevchenko. Inspired by romanticism, I. Sochenko, A. Kuindzi, I. Aivazovskyi, S. Vasylkivskyi and I. Pokhytonov devoted their eforts to depicting rural scenery at it most beautiful.

E. At that time Ukraine was called 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 Sternberg, a friend of Shevchenko, a master of lyrical landscape.

F. Odessa art school and Kyiv drawing school occupied an important place at the beginning of the 20^th 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 were Mikhail Vrubel, Vasilii Vasnitsov and Illia Repin.

G. Ukrainian art of the turn of the 20^th 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 propagated 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 20^th century was Mykhailo Boichuk Art School. It combined the traditions of folk picture, local primitive painting and the principles of regional art.

H. Ukrainian art of Soviet period is represented by many talented painters as T. Yablonska, Y. Bokchai, O. Shovkunenko, R. Selskyi, S. Shyshko, V. Zaretskyyi an dmany others. M. Pryimachenko became a unique phenomenon having no analogues in world art. She is considered as a classic of Ukrainian folk art.

I. Present-day Ukrainian art is developing in harmony with world art. National theme remains topical in panting – in thematic and historical pictures, landscapes, associative and formalistic works.

3. READING COMPREHENSION

A) Read the article again and refer its paragraphs (A-I) to the questions (1-9).

 

o 1. Who is considered to be the father of modern Ukrainian painting?

o 2. What period is connected with the development of abstraction and symbolism?

o 3. What genre of painting was under the strong influence of Byzantine traditions?

o 4. What are the tendencies of the present-day Ukrainian art?

o 5. What art schools played an important role at the beginning of the 20^th century?

o 6. Why was Ukraine called East European Italy?

o 7. When did portrait painting appear as a separate genre?

o 8. Who represented Ukrainian painting art of Soviet period?

o 9. What style did Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg cultivated?

B) Find the words in the article that match these definitions.

1. someone who produces art, especially paintings or drawings (paragraph C)

2. to describe something, especially in pictures or writing (A)

3. to use talent, paintings, pictures, etc. in order to help something be successful (D)

4. a particular type of art, which has certain characteristics that all examples of this type share (B)

5. a picture that you have in your mind (E)

6. interesting or unusual, that is worth being noticed or mentioned (G)

7. well-known and important (F)

8. to do something that expresses the feelings, opinions, manners, etc. of a group of people (H)

9. a person who belongs to a certain group of people (F)

10. the main subject or idea in a piece of painting (I)

11. interesting because it deals with something that is important at the present time (I)

V. Borovykovskyi “Portrait of Lopuhina”	A. Kuindzi “Ukrainian Evening”
M. Murashko “Old Teacher”	T. Yablonska “Dream”

4. VOCABULARY

masterpiece	exhibits	collection	icons
contains	piece	paintings

Complete the text with the words in the box.