A unique phenomenon among artisans of the period was the creative
work of Hryhorij Ks’onz (1874-1946). Ks’onz studied in Myrhorod
with the icon-painter Mykhajlo Khymochko, and worked with the
artists Otryshko (Romny) and Rudych (Khomutets’); in 1923 or 1924
he began working on his own. Although some examples of Ks’onz’s
icon painting have survived, of more value to us are his portraits,
which he painted for the residents of the city of Myrhorod and
many of the surrounding villages. These portraits reflect the
dignity and self-respect of the subjects who, in a quiet yet celebratory
manner, posed for the artist -- as if posing before a camera lens.
Ks’onz painted only the heads and hands of his subjects from life;
but in a somewhat “standard” execution, which differed from his
treatment of background landscapes that were saturated with greens
and blues, or from the intricate and decorative details of the
clothing worn by his subjects (embroidered shirts, wrap-around
skirts-“plakhty”, brocade aprons). These works are truly representative
of village portraiture.
Kim Skalats’kyj. |
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