Cityscape 1955

Ilarion Pleshynskyi made this Cityscape with ink on paper. Pleshynskyi’s life spanned a turbulent period in Ukrainian history, including World War I, the Russian Revolution, and World War II. Looking at this cityscape, one senses the weight of these historical events, a feeling of temporal suspension. The sepia tones lend a nostalgic air, as though the scene is filtered through memory. The scratchy, hurried lines suggest a world in flux, marked by instability and perhaps even anxiety. Yet, within this sketch, there is an undeniable beauty. Notice the elegance of the architecture, how it juxtaposes with the natural forms of the trees lining the street. Are these people going about their daily lives, or are they refugees? Pleshynskyi's work provides a glimpse into a world shaped by conflict and change, where beauty and resilience intertwine. His ability to capture the emotional tenor of a time through landscape is very powerful.