Krakow Hoarfrost 1911

Oleksa Novakivskyi made Krakow Hoarfrost with oil on canvas, but we don't know exactly when. Look at how he's applied the paint, those assertive brushstrokes create an image that is at once representational and abstract. The palette is mostly cool blues and whites, with a warm sienna tone running through the foreground, all of which creates the feeling of crisp, cold air. Notice the dark lines of the tree trunks, they're almost calligraphic, grounding the composition, providing contrast and scale. In the background, the building is just a suggestion, implied rather than described. Novakivskyi seems to be playing with Impressionist ideas here, but he brings his own distinct vision to the work, creating a composition that feels both familiar and new. It reminds me of the work of the Canadian painter, Emily Carr, and her expressive, gestural landscapes. It’s this exchange of ideas over time that makes art so interesting.