Chernihiv 1958

Hryhorii Havrylenko made this drawing of Chernihiv with ink on paper, and just look at that touch! The way Havrylenko uses line is so descriptive. It’s immediate, like a visual shorthand, but also delicate. Take a look at the tree on the left – the way the lines branch out and taper off, it’s almost like he's feeling for the shape rather than just drawing it. There’s a lightness there, a sense of air and space. The whole composition feels like a fleeting impression, captured in a burst of energy. It makes me think of other artists who worked in sketchbooks, like Daumier, who were interested in capturing everyday life with sensitivity. It’s a reminder that art isn’t always about grand statements; sometimes it’s about the quiet observation of the world around us. It's about embracing the imperfect, the unfinished, and finding beauty in the process itself.