Battle Themes in Ukrainian Etching of the First Half of the Twentieth Century

Abstract

The article examines Ukrainian etching of the first half of the 20th century through the prism of the battle genre. The specified period is characterized by active socio-political and socio-cultural changes. Ukrainian etching is considered in the context of the styles and directions of art of the specified period, as well as the influence of European masters. The theoretical basis for the research was the works of domestic art critics and cultural experts. The subject of the research is etching and the peculiarities of its existence during the period of socio-cultural changes. The main emphasis of the study of the battle theme in Ukrainian etching is focused on its connotation with the European school. An analysis of the main points of interaction between Ukrainian and European engraving was carried out. It is established that the main points of intersection of the two cultures are education and exhibition activity, borrowing and imitation. Two groups of artists were formed according to their relation to the war. It was found that artists who are directly related to the war receive high-quality and more reliable preparatory materials for creating an artistic work. The main features of European art, which became the forerunner of Ukrainian etching, have been established. An analysis of art tasks was carried out separately. It was determined that the main task of an engraver working within the battle genre isto preserve the aesthetic component of the work. At the same time, the artist must convey to the viewer all the fury and horror, realism and authenticity of war. The methodological foundations of the research are based on the principle of historicism and a systemic approach, which provide an objective and theoretical approach to research.