Female Image (Beatrice) 1965

Hryhorii Havrylenko made "Female Image (Beatrice)" using hatching to build up tone and suggest form. There's a kind of quiet intensity in the repetition of these marks, a testament to the artist’s focus and determination. Looking closely, you can see how the density of the lines creates a sense of depth, almost like a sculptural relief. The stark contrast between the white paper and the dark lines gives the image a graphic quality. There's something very direct and honest about the way the image is constructed, nothing is hidden. The linear marks that define the shape of the hair and face also form the background and the ground. All are made from the same stuff. This reminds me of Agnes Martin, but also of children's art and of the art of people excluded from the mainstream who find ways to represent the world around them. Ultimately, the beauty of a piece like this lies in its openness, inviting us to bring our own experiences and interpretations to the table. It’s a reminder that art is as much about the questions it raises as the answers it provides.