Decorative Art Nouveau in Ukraine: Problems of Style, Symbolism and Artistic Interpretation of Ornament

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32461/2226-3209.4.2025.351870

Keywords:

decorative modernism, Ukrainian art, ornament, symbolism, style, national identity, artistic interpretation

Abstract

The purpose of the article: the study is aimed at a comprehensive understanding of decorative modernism in Ukraine as a stylistic phenomenon, the definition of its symbolic models and features of the artistic interpretation of ornament in the context of the national cultural tradition and European influences. Research methodology. The work uses a systematic approach that combines art historical analysis, comparative historical method, semiotic interpretation of ornamental structures, as well as stylistic and morphological studies of artistic forms. The application of the principles of culturological analysis made it possible to determine the specifics of the formation of the national version of modernism. Scientific novelty. For the first time, the main ornamental models of Ukrainian decorative modernism were systematized and their semantic multi-layeredness in connection with ethnocultural features was revealed. The role of ornament as a symbolic component through which the modernist style transmits ideas of national identity, synthesizing the traditions of folk art and the latest artistic trends of the early 20th century is substantiated. Conclusions. As a result of the study, it was established that decorative modernism in Ukraine was formed as a unique style system, which combines the European aesthetics of organic forms with national symbolism. Ornament in this context acts not only as a decorative element, but also as a carrier of cultural memory and artistic interpretation of the Ukrainian mythopoetic world. The results of the study deepen the understanding of the evolution of modernism and outline the trends of its further influence on the development of art in Ukraine.

References

Hnidets, R. , & Yasinskyi, M. (2021). Ukrainian architectural modernism in the work of Ivan Levynskyi. Bulletin of the National University ‘Lviv Polytechnic. Series: Architecture, 2 (6), 18–27 [in Ukrainian].

Kara-Vasylieva, T. (2021). Modern style in Ukraine. Dmytro Burago Publishing House [in Ukrainian].

Klymenko, O. (2021). Modern traditional ceramics of Ukraine: utilitarian and decorative functions. Materials for Ukrainian ethnology, 20 (23), 175–184 [in Ukrainian].

Melnyk, I. (2019). The role of Ukrainian folk ornament in modernist graphics: theoretical and applied aspects. Bulletin of the Lviv National Academy of Arts, 41, 11–18 [in Ukrainian].

Oborska, S. V. (2020). Specificity of ornamental stylization of modern style decor. Herald of the National Academy of Culture and Arts Management, 1, 84–88 [in Ukrainian].

Omelchenko, O. (2023). Peculiarities of traditional Ukrainian folk decorative painting and its visualisation in modern conditions. Professional art education, 4 (2), 39–52. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34142/27091805.2023.4.02.05[in Ukrainian].

Ochkurova, N. O., & Tsyhanenko, V. L. (2023). Vasyl Krychevsky – the creator of Ukrainian modern. Ukraine of the 20th–21st centuries in the context of world history: materials of the 17th All-Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Conference (to the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Department of Ukrainian Studies, NURE), December 15, 2023 (pp. 76–77) [in Ukrainian].

Rykhlitska, O. D., & Kosyk, O. I. (2021). Ornamental motifs in modern design practices. Ukrainian Cultural Studies, 1 (8), 59-65. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/UCS.2021.1(8).13 [in Ukrainian].

Chuprina, N., & Tereshchenko, O. (2024). Ornamentation in modern ethnic clothing design: development and feasibility of application. Current issues of the humanities, 75 (3), 111–120. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24919/2308-4863/75-3-16 [in Ukrainian].

Cheban, V. (2022). Outstanding representatives of modern movements in Ukrainian art. Bulletin of KNUKiM. Series: Art History, 47, 21–25 [in English].

Romaniuk, N. (2019). Art Nouveau Ukrainian Architecture in a Global Context. Kyiv-Mohyla Humanities Journal, 6, 137–148 [in English].

Published

2026-02-13

Issue

Section

Art, decorative art, restaurant