Portrait 1963

Hryhorii Havrylenko made this painting, known as 'Portrait', with oil on canvas, though we don't know exactly when. What strikes me is how the artist is thinking through the figure using line and form, rather than traditional representation. It feels like an exercise in pure painting. Look at the surface – the way the white and blue lines create the impression of volume and shape. See how the paint is applied quite thinly, yet it has a real presence. The palette is restricted but somehow still rich. The dark line that defines the inner space of the head is so simple, yet so effective. It’s like Havrylenko is exploring the essence of portraiture. There's a feeling here that reminds me of early Cubism, like Picasso or Braque, but with a uniquely personal touch. For me, this portrait celebrates the act of seeing and the joy of making. It asks us to question our assumptions about what a portrait should be.