Українка 1910

Mykhailo Boychuk's "Українка" is a painting with an egg tempera that feels both ancient and strikingly modern. Boychuk’s colours are muted – ochres, reds and browns – yet there’s a real vibrancy in how they interact. It’s like he’s whispering secrets with his brush. Look at the way he's rendered the woman's face. The lines are simple, almost architectural, but there’s so much feeling in those subtle gradations of colour. The paint application is thin, allowing the texture of the support to peek through, adding a tactile quality. The geometric patterns on her sleeves are echoed in her almost mask-like features. Boychuk had one foot in the past and one in the future, much like Picasso, who was referencing tribal art in his Cubist paintings. Boychuk's "Українка" reminds me that art is just a conversation, constantly evolving.