Traditions of Realist Painting in the Representation of the Kyiv Urban Landscape by Artists of the 1970s–1980s.

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to provide a comprehensive study of the traditions of realist painting as reflected in the urban landscape of Kyiv during the 1970s–1980s. The focus is on analysing the creative methods employed by artists of this period and identifying their impact on the preservation of the city’s cultural identity and heritage. Research methodology. This study employs a combination of methodological approaches, including art historical analysis, analytical methods, the historical-cultural approach, and comparative analysis. The use of these methods enables an in-depth and multifaceted examination of the research subject and contributes to the achievement of reliable and substantiated scholarly results. Particular attention is given to the analysis of artworks created by Kyiv-based artists of the 1970s–1980s, examined in the context of their artistic manner, subject matter, and the broader cultural and historical background of the era. Scientific novelty. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the systematisation and in-depth analysis of the traditions of realist painting within the context of depicting Kyiv’s urban space in the 1970s–1980s. For the first time, the study offers a comprehensive examination of the artistic techniques, stylistic features, and individual creative approaches of Kyiv artists from this period. It defines their contribution to preserving the visual image of the city as an element of its historical and cultural heritage. In addition, the study analyses the influence of sociocultural factors – particularly ideological directives, urban infrastructural transformations, and everyday life – on the formation of artistic visions of the urban environment. Conclusions. The article highlights the significant role that traditions of realist painting played in preserving cultural memory and representing Kyiv’s urban landscape in the 1970s–1980s. The research analyses the works of leading artists of the time, identifies key trends in depicting the urban environment, and characterises their contribution to the creation of a cohesive cultural image of Kyiv. It is revealed that the artistic practices of this period not only recorded the external transformations of the urban space but also fostered a deeper awareness of the city’s historical value and identity amid ongoing social changes. Realist painting functioned as a form of visual archiving of the urban landscape and served as an important factor in the processes of cultural identification for the residents of Kyiv.