Three towers 1962

Yuriy Khymych made this painting, titled Three Towers, and measuring 60 by 40 centimeters, with what looks like gouache or maybe tempera, given the matte surface. The towers are rendered with flat colour and sharp lines, like cut paper. I’m really drawn to the way the lines are used to define the edges of the forms, especially the bold, dark blue outlines that make the towers stand out. Look how the artist uses colour to create depth, the cool blues of the sea and sky contrasting with the warm browns and yellows of the landscape. The paint application is pretty direct; you can see the brushstrokes in places, which gives it a handmade, personal feel. See how the textures create a sense of ruggedness and age, as if the towers have been standing there for centuries, weathered by wind and rain? It reminds me a little of Milton Avery, but with a harder edge. And for me, this piece feels like a reminder that art is always a conversation, an ongoing exchange of ideas and approaches across time.