The Style of Cubism in the Works of the Ukrainian Battalist Artist Leonid Perfetsky

Abstract

The purpose of the work is to investigate the influence of modernism artistic currents, in particular cubism, in the work of the Ukrainian battle artist L. Perfetskyi, analysing the artistic manner and the relevance of the interpretation of historical events. The research methodology is based on the application of a set of methods: general theoretical – analysis, systematisation, generalisation of the researched sources; historical-retrospective – for studying the stages of artistic creativity and works of the artist; art critic – for the analysis of the general creative style and artistic manner of the artist. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the generalisation and systematisation of the creative heritage of L. Perfetskyi in the realm of battle painting, which vividly reflects the days of the armed struggle of Ukrainians for independence at the beginning of the 20th century; attention is also focused on the relationship between the direct participation of the artist himself in combat operations and his service in the ranks of the Army of the Ukrainian People's Republic with subsequent creative activity, which influenced the formation of the artist's original style in combination with the stylistics of cubism and other modernist searches. Conclusions. As a result of the conducted research, it was established that despite the partial loss of the artist's heritage, those works that have survived testify to the unparalleled talent and artistic originality of the artist, who was a witness of real events and masterfully embodied all that in artistic works. L. Perfetsky joined the cohort of Ukrainian combat artists and at a high artistic level managed to recreate some of the most difficult periods of Ukrainian history, which is supported by his personal view of these events as a direct participant. In addition, from an artistic point of view, the works of L. Perfetskyi are marked by artistic appeals and searches among the modernist European currents of cubism, which was constantly reflected in the increased expression and dynamics of the paintings. All this fills the content of his works with realism, capable of conveying the truth of what has been seen through many decades.

Keywords: L. Perfetskyi, liberation contests, armed struggle, Ukrainian army, battle painting, cubism, modernist currents, works of art.