Angel of Death 1923

Oleksa Novakivskyi’s “Angel of Death” is an oil painting that delivers a profound emotional impact through its very materiality. The thick impasto and visible brushstrokes build up the image, lending it an almost sculptural quality. Novakivskyi’s application of paint creates a visceral sense of form. Notice how the angel and the figures in its arms are rendered with a raw, almost urgent energy. The lack of blending isn't a flaw, but a choice. The materiality of the paint becomes part of the message, giving the artwork a weight that transcends the two-dimensional surface. It is a reminder that all artworks, even those depicting the ethereal, are fundamentally made things. Novakivskyi’s painting is an example of how the careful application of a material—in this case, oil paint—can imbue an artwork with powerful social and spiritual resonance. It's a compelling reminder that fine art is fundamentally rooted in craft.