Student Artwork Guide — Abstract Composition

Name Class Date

hryhorii havrylenko, Abstract Composition (1975). Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder.

The facts

Artist: hryhorii havrylenko artsdot.com/en/artists/hryhorii-havrylenko/
Artist’s dates: 1927 – 1984
Painted: 1975
Medium: Oil On Canvas
Movement: Abstract Expressionism Large canvases where the act of painting itself — the drip, the sweep — is the subject.
Period: Modern
Artistic style: Abstract Expressionism
Notable elements or techniques: Thick impasto, gestural brushstrokes
Subject or theme: Pure abstraction, energy and movement

Copyright This work is still under copyright. hryhorii havrylenko died in 1984; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2054. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.

Abstract Composition — hryhorii havrylenko

When was this painted?

1920
1930
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1960
1970
1980

Shaded: the lifetime of hryhorii havrylenko (1927–1984) ▲ this work, 1975

Compare with

Night Concerts, 1978 artsdot.com/en/art/hryhorii-havrylenko-night-concerts-D3HKWC-en/
Illustration to the Book "Legacy" by M. Bazhan, 1978 artsdot.com/en/art/hryhorii-havrylenko-illustration-to-the-book-legacy-by-m-bazhan-D3HKX2-en/
Nika, 1960 artsdot.com/en/art/hryhorii-havrylenko-nika-D6533L-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/hryhorii-havrylenko-abstract-composition-D3FN7G-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

Main colour

Gray #868495

Catalogued palette

#868495
#26232C
#DEDCC1
#80393F

Main colour name: Gray
Intensity: Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
Contrast: Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
Harmony: Discordant Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
Brightness: Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
Saturation: Subtle Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

Abstract Composition — hryhorii havrylenko

A Symphony of Chaos and Color

In the realm of mid-century abstraction, few works capture the raw, unbridled energy of the human spirit quite like Hryhorii Havrylenko’s Abstract Composition. Created in 1975, this masterpiece serves as a profound testament to the power of gestural abstraction, where the act of painting becomes a visceral performance. The canvas is not merely a surface for imagery but a battlefield of color and motion, dominated by dynamic brushstrokes that dance across the frame in a state of beautiful, controlled turbulence. There are no recognizable figures to anchor the eye; instead, the viewer is invited to lose themselves in a dense, overlapping tapestry of shapes and lines that pulse with an inherent, rhythmic vitality.

The technique employed by Havrylenso is nothing short of masterful, utilizing a thick, impasto application that lends the work a sculptural quality. Each layer of oil paint seems to hold the memory of the artist's movement, with visible, energetic strokes creating a tactile landscape of ridges and valleys. This heavy texture catches the light in subtle ways, adding a three-dimensional depth to an otherwise flattened perspective. The composition is driven by a strong diagonal flow, a directional force that guides the gaze through a labyrinth of fragmented forms, ensuring that the eye never rests but continues to wander through the vibrant, chaotic palette.

The Emotional Resonance of Ukrainian Avant-Garde

Rooted in the rich tradition of the Ukrainian avant-garde, this work reflects the bold experimentation and spirit of defiance characteristic of Havrylenko’s era. While his contributions to book illustration demonstrated a meticulous precision, his abstract works allow for a much more liberated expression of emotion. The color palette is intentionally vibrant and high-contrast, evoking a complex spectrum of feelings—ranging from the exhilaration of discovery to the underlying tension of a world in flux. To look upon this piece is to experience a sense of movement that feels both spontaneous and deeply intentional.

For the discerning collector or interior designer, Abstract Composition offers more than just visual stimulation; it provides a focal point of profound character. Its ability to command attention through sheer chromatic intensity makes it an ideal centerpiece for modern, minimalist, or eclectic spaces. Whether placed in a quiet study to provoke deep contemplation or in a grand living area to inject a sense of drama, this reproduction brings the historical weight and emotional depth of 20th-century Ukrainian abstraction into the contemporary home. It is a piece that does not merely decorate a wall but transforms the very atmosphere of a room, inviting all who behold it to find their own meaning within its beautiful, swirling chaos.

Artist

hryhorii havrylenko

Born in Hluhiv, Ukraine

early life and career

hryhorii havrylenko, also known as grigory gavrilenko, was born on july 7, 1927, in hlukhiv, ukraine. this ukrainian painter, graphic artist, and master of book illustration left an indelible mark on the art world with his avant-garde style.

artistic contributions

* hryhorii havrylenko's work is characterized by its bold experimentation with colors and forms, reflecting the spirit of ukrainian avant-garde art. * his contributions to book illustration are particularly noteworthy, showcasing his versatility as an artist.

notable works and exhibitions

though specific works by hryhorii havrylenko are not listed here, his influence can be seen in various exhibitions at the kharkov museum of art (ukraine), which features an impressive collection of ukrainian art. the kharkov museum of art (ukraine)*: this museum, located in ukraine's second-largest city, is a must-visit for anyone interested in ukrainian art and culture. /en/art/show/art-d3b4yk-en/ ukrainian avant-garde art*: this movement, led by artists like hryhorii havrylenko, redefined the boundaries of ukrainian art with its innovative approach. [https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@/hryhorii-havrylenko](https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@/hryhorii-havrylenko)

legacy and later life

* hryhorii havrylenko passed away on february 23, 1984, in kyiv, ukraine, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire artists. * his influence can be seen in the works of subsequent ukrainian artists who have followed in his footsteps.

conclusion

hryhorii havrylenko's life and work serve as a testament to the power of avant-garde art in shaping cultural narratives. through his bold artistic endeavors, he has left an enduring impact on the world of ukrainian art.

view hryhorii havrylenko's artworks at [https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@/hryhorii-havrylenko](https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@/hryhorii-havrylenko)

explore the kharkov museum of art (ukraine) and its collections at /en/art/show/art-d3b4yk-en/

discover more about ukrainian avant-garde art and its pioneers like hryhorii havrylenko

*note:* this article is based on the available information from AllPaintingsStore.com and may not be a comprehensive biography.

Where to read more

The artist hryhorii havrylenko artsdot.com/en/artists/hryhorii-havrylenko/
Similar works More works to compare artsdot.com/en/art/similar/hryhorii-havrylenko-abstract-composition-D3FN7G-en/
Article Mark Rothko's Masterpieces: 25 Paintings That Define Abstract Expressionism artsdot.com/en/articles/mark-rothko-s-masterpieces-25-paintings-that-define-abstract-expressionism-en/
Article Kandinsky's Masterpieces: 25 Paintings That Define Abstract Art artsdot.com/en/articles/kandinsky-s-masterpieces-25-paintings-that-define-abstract-art-en/
Article Abstract Expressionism's 10 Defining Masterpieces artsdot.com/en/articles/abstract-expressionism-s-10-defining-masterpieces-en/
Article Geometric Abstraction's 10 Defining Masterpieces artsdot.com/en/articles/geometric-abstraction-s-10-defining-masterpieces-art-for-your-home-en/

Find this online

QR code linking to the download page for Abstract Composition

artsdot.com/en/art/download/hryhorii-havrylenko-abstract-composition-D3FN7G-en/

Cite this artwork

MLA: havrylenko, hryhorii. Abstract Composition. 1975, https://artsdot.com/en/art/hryhorii-havrylenko-abstract-composition-D3FN7G-en/
APA: havrylenko, hryhorii (1975). Abstract Composition [Painting]. https://artsdot.com/en/art/hryhorii-havrylenko-abstract-composition-D3FN7G-en/
Chicago: hryhorii havrylenko. Abstract Composition. 1975. https://artsdot.com/en/art/hryhorii-havrylenko-abstract-composition-D3FN7G-en/
Harvard: havrylenko, hryhorii (1975) Abstract Composition. Available at: https://artsdot.com/en/art/hryhorii-havrylenko-abstract-composition-D3FN7G-en/

Abstract Composition — hryhorii havrylenko

Look closely

Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

What catches your eye first, and why?
Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
Our catalogue files this work under: abstract composition, dynamic brushstrokes, color field painting. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
Look back at Night Concerts (1978), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
Abstract Expressionism: Large canvases where the act of painting itself — the drip, the sweep — is the subject. Where can you see that in this work?

Your response

Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.