Illustrations for Mikhail Stelmakh's book "In the Hedgehog's Windmill" 1956

Editor: We're looking at illustrations created for Mikhail Stelmakh's book "In the Hedgehog's Windmill" in 1956 by Hryhorii Havrylenko. They’re ink drawings on paper, capturing everyday scenes of childhood. There’s something about their simplicity that’s really endearing. What jumps out at you when you look at these? Curator: You know, it’s funny, my first thought is about how illustration often gets overlooked, doesn't it? As though it's less serious somehow. But look at the raw storytelling here, the economical use of line, and the suggestion of so much through so little. It's really evocative. Do you get a sense of place, of a particular time? Editor: Definitely! It feels almost nostalgic, like a glimpse into someone's memories of childhood. Curator: Absolutely. And the artist, Havrylenko, clearly understands children – their awkwardness, their boundless curiosity. Look at the boy yawning, that unguarded moment of just waking up. It's so real. And the way he’s drawn to the oven, a place of warmth, of stories maybe. I imagine it’s set somewhere in the Ukrainian countryside. What I wonder is how the drawing illuminates the text, or does the text speak back at the art, how do the two feed off each other. Editor: That makes me think about the power of images to transport us. Curator: Precisely. These illustrations invite us not just to see, but to *feel* a connection to this child's world. A reminder of simpler times. Editor: It's amazing how a few lines can evoke such a strong sense of story and emotion. I appreciate that much more now. Thanks! Curator: And thank *you* for looking closely with me. Sometimes, art is less about grand statements and more about the quiet whispers of everyday life, isn't it?