Female image. Preparatory drawing for Dante's illustration 1975

Hryhorii Havrylenko created this drawing for Dante’s illustration using ink on paper. The composition is immediately striking with its stark contrasts. Areas of dense, cross-hatched lines define shadows and volume. The repetitive nature of these lines creates a palpable texture across the surface. The figure stands rigidly, set against a segmented backdrop also formed from hatched lines. Her lack of colour creates a flatness, further emphasizing the structure of the composition rather than emotional depth. Havrylenko has used a semiotic system of signs, where hatching functions as a code for light and shadow, structuring the viewer's perception of form. This preparatory drawing underscores a concern with structure over sentiment. The image challenges traditional notions of representation through its emphasis on abstract, structural elements. The work reflects a larger cultural discourse of modernism, where traditional forms were deconstructed and re-evaluated.