Oleksandr Murashko
A man who opened a gateway to Europe for Ukrainian art
Early years
Oleksandr Murashko was born on August 26 (September 7), out of wedlock and never knew his own father. Maria Krachkovska married Oleksandr Ivanovych Murashko, who officially adopted her son in 1892, who continued to go by his mother’s surname until he was 17.
Burial of a Kish Otaman (0/1900) by Oleksandr Murashko Ukrainian Institute
Education and historical works
In 1900, while studying at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, Oleksandr Murashko painted "The Burial of a Kish Otaman", inspired by his mentor Illia Ripyn's historical works.
Margaryta and Oleksandr Murashko by Photo by Witold Meczynski (Menczynski) Ukrainian Institute
Historical accuracy
To ensure historical accuracy, he traveled to the Chernihiv and Kyiv regions, carefully studying old clothing, weapons, and folk types, making numerous sketches.
Cafe by Oleksandr Murashko Ukrainian Institute
Italy-Germany-France (1901-1903)
Murashko chose Italy for further studies, but soon moved to Munich and then to Paris, the artistic capital of the time. In Munich, he studied at Anton Ashbe’s school and worked with Alexei von Jawlensky. Later, he settled in Paris, becoming part of the city's vibrant art scene.
Girl in a Red Hat (1902/1903) by Oleksandr Murashko Ukrainian Institute
Girl in a Red Hat (1902-1903)
Portrait of Anna Kruger-Prahova with her firstborn son Volodymyr (1905) by Oleksandr Murashko Ukrainian Institute
Portrait of Anna Kruger-Prahova with her newborn son Volodymyr (1905)
Carrousel Ukrainian Institute
Carousel (1905-1906)
In 1909, Murashko began teaching at the Kyiv Art School, married Margarita Krüger, and debuted at the 10th Munich International Art Exhibition. His painting Carousel (1905–06) won a second-class gold medal and was later sold to Max Markus from Budapest.
The Annunciation (1909)
Around 1907–1908, Murashko began working on his only painting inspired by a biblical story—The Annunciation (1909). It was the result of extensive artistic exploration, with the most sketches, drawings, and studies created for this piece.
Sunday by Oleksandr Murashko Ukrainian Institute
Murashko's worldwide recognition
In 1912, Murashko presented "Sunday"
(1911) at the International Exhibition of Modern Art in Amsterdam, in 1913 at the Munich International Art Exhibition, and in 1914, the German magazine "Jugend"
likely reproduced it in color for the first time.
Peasant Family by Oleksandr Murashko Ukrainian Institute
National characters in Murashko's paintings
In the summer of 1914, Murashko created his most famous paintings, "Peasant Family" and "Laundress". He sought to embody a true understanding of the national character.
Laundress by Oleksandr Murashko Ukrainian Institute
National characters in Murashko's paintings
These paintings marked a departure from both the narrative style of "The Burial of a Kish Otaman" and the luminous, soft-edged works of the early 1900s.
Portrait of a woman with flowers by Oleksandr Murashko Ukrainian Institute
Portrait of a woman with flowers (1918)
Flower sellers (0/1917) by Oleksandr Murashko Ukrainian Institute
Flower sellers (1917)
Academia Ukrainian Institute
Ukrainian Academy of Arts
In 1917, he became one of the founders and professors of the Ukrainian Academy of Arts, which was officially opened on November 22 of that year. By the late 1910s, public activity had become one of the most important aspects of the artist's life.
Murashko was murdered on the 15th of June, 1919 during the second Bolshevik invasion in Kyiv. The tragic death of Oleksandr Murashko remains a mystery to this day, one that is unlikely to ever be solved.
All text credits belong to Daria Dobriian.
Editor: Yelyzaveta Sidelnykova.
Image credits: National Art Museum of Ukraine, Odessa National Art Museum, Ponamarchuk Family Collection.
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