Ivan Trush

A Ukrainian Impressionist painter, original colorist, as well as an editor and social activist. Known as a master of landscape, a portrait painter and an art critic. A prominent participant in the revival of Galician-Ukrainian painting and the organization of artistic life in Galicia in general. Being a figure significant for the culture of Western Ukraine, he became one of the creators of the first professional art societies in this region.

Key ideas:

– Crucial in the work of Ivan Trush is lyricism, particular intimacy and poetics that folklorist Mikhail Mochulsky described as “the sun with its inexhaustible treasures”. The luminous effects used by the lyrical painter are harmoniously combined with the simplicity of the composition and with the laconicism of the art language.

– The brushstroke in Trush’s work in the early period is juicy; the coloring is very lively, as the cheerful and bright sun remained his idol. However, a toning close to a sfumato is present in his later canvases.

– Trush loved repeats and variations in his works; at the same time, he constantly developed his favorite motifs, modifying the lighting and overall composition.

– The artist also painted urban landscapes with architectural motifs (the most famous are “Kiev St. Michael’s Cathedral”, “St. Andrew’s Church”, “Tomb of Shevchenko”, “Egyptian Temple”). He created many genre paintings that reflect the life of Hutsuls, Egyptians and Prydniprovsk peoples.