It’s interesting to know!

1. As for the development of art of painting in Ukraine is concerened, one should remember that the early period referred to icon painting, that began to develop in Kyivan Rus in the end of the 10^th century after Prince Volodymyr had baptised the state. Icon painters –mostly monks-depicted Christ, the Virgin, angels and saints. Bisantine traditions were a model. Mosaic and freskos 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’

2. Odessa art school and Kyiv drawing school occupied an important place at the beginning of the 20^th century. Outstanding artists such as Mykola Pymonenko and Mykola Murashko were prominent representatives of that time. Some artists of Ukrainian origin who taught in Kyiv achool were Mikhail Vrubel, Vasilii Vasnetsov and Illia Repin.

Finds the words in the atticle that match these definitions.

Word file: an artist, an image, a genre, a masterpiece, fame, a genre, a masterpiece, a scene, a scenery, a tendency theme, to depict, to devote, to propagate, to represent, to be inspirit (to be influenced)

1. Someone who produces art, especially paintings or drawings.

2. To describe something, especially in pictures or writing.

3. To use talent, paintings, pictures, ets. in order to help something be successful.

4. A particular type of art, which has certain characteristic that all examples of his type share.

5. A picture that you have in you mind

6. Interesting or unusual, that is worth being noticed or mentioned

7. Well-known and important

8. To do something that expresses the feelings, opinions, manners, ets. of a group of peple

9. A person who belongs to a certain group of people

10. The main subject or idea in a piece of painting

11. Interesting because it deals with something that is important at the present time

Creative work of the students:

1. You are writing an essay about the artistic traditions of the Ukraine. What important information would you like to include into your essay?

2. You are a teacher of the History of Arts. Yoy have the lecture about the Development of the Ukrainian Art.

Lesson 4 Taras Shevchenko

I. Before reading

You definitely know our greatest poet Taras Shevchenko. He was also a prominent painter. What did he mainly reveal in his drawings? Have you seen his pictures in the museums? What do you think of them?

II. Read the Text

The creative work of Taras Shevchenko, the artist is justifiably recognised as a most valuable contribution to 19th century Ukrainian art. The great national poet Shevchenko, founder of critical realism in Ukrainian art, ardent revolutionary democrat, thinker and humanist, was also one of the most outstanding masters of Ukrainian painting and graphic art.

Richly endowed by nature, the waif orphan felt the urge to draw very early. Dreaming of studying art, Taras applied to a local sexton-painter who allowed him, in return for doing heavy chores, to attend classes he con­ducted for boys in more favoured circumstances.

While travelling with Engelhardt, Shevchenko made use of every oppor­tunity to draw. Realising that Shevchenko would never make a good lackey, his master decided to make him his "court" painter and apprenticed him to Shyriaev, an artist in Petersburg. Studying under Shyriaev, Shevchenko mas­tered the technique of wall painting in oils and colour wash and became acquainted for the first time with the classics of Russian literature, particu­larly Pushkin and Zhukovs'ky.

On 22 April 1838, Shevchenko's liberation from serfdom was purchased, and the very next day he began to attend drawing classes at the Academy of Arts, soon becoming one of Briullov's favourite students. The years he spent studying at the Academy were an important period in Shevchenko's life: it was then that his progressive esthetic views were formed and that he became an established poet and artist.

At the Academy Shevchenko successfully coped with the themes he was given and invariably received high marks for his work. The Academy Council awarded him with a second-class silver medal three times.

In 1842 Shevchenko painted his famous picture "Kateryna" which ex­presses the tragic love story of a poor Ukrainian serf girl with such sincerity and truthfulness. As a social and artistic comment and considering the depths of feeling so dramatically and convincingly exposed, this painting had no rival in the Ukrainian, Russian or world art of that time.

High professional skills, a faithful depiction of the model combined with deep penetration into man's inner world are characteristic features of Shevchenko's water colour portraits made in 183 8-1842 ("Portrait of an Un­known," "Portrait ofN.Lunin," "Portrait ofM. Sokolovs'kyi"). Portrait paint­ing was the leading genre in Shevchenko's work as an artist. Over 100 por­traits and some 30 self-portraits have been preserved up to our days. His self-portrait painted in 1841 stands out from the rest, for it reveals a man of great vital strength, energy, courage and resoluteness. In 1843 Shevchenko returned to Ukraine after a 14-year absence. There he saw not only the remarkable charm of the countryside, but the dreadful picture of serf-peas­ant life. During this visit he created such works as "A Peasant Family," "The Apiary," a series of etchings entitled "Picturesque Ukraine" and a whole gallery of portraits.

In his series of etchings "Picturesque Ukraine" the painter depicted the past of the Ukrainian people, their life and mores, the colourful scenery of his native land. The first and only issue included six etchings: "In Kyiv," "The Vydubets'kyi Monastery in Kyiv," "A Tale," "The Match-Makers," "Coun­cil of Village Elders," and "Gifts in Chyhyryn in 1649."

A perfect command of the etching technique and chiaroscuro along with the original composition, masterly rendered national character and demo­cratic message of the etchings included make the "Picturesque Ukraine" a unique creation in the history of Ukrainian visual arts.

ІІI. After reading

Discuss with a partner:

1) Taras Shevchenko is a genius.

2) The role of famous people in his life.

3) His enormous love for Ukrainian nature.

4) Main characters in his painting.

5) Etchings "Picturesque Ukraine"

Answer the following questions.

1) When did Taras Shevchenko start drawing?

2) Have you seen his paintings? Where?

3) Do you think he achieved a professional level in this?

4) Shevchenko painted nature, people, and autoportraits. What do like most of all in his pictures?

3. Speak with a partner about your last visit to the Arts Museum. Men­tion the following:

1) location of a museum;

2) opening hours;

3) the profile of a museum;

4) exhibitions held;

5) expositions;

6) your most vivid impressions;

7) give advice as for visiting this museum.