Alexander
Murashko

Ukraine • 1875−1919
Alexander Murashko (26 Aug 1875, Kiev – June 14, 1919, Kiev) – Ukrainian artist, who painted mostly portraits. Born and raised in Kiev, he studied at the St. Petersburg Academy of arts, then spent three years in Europe, including in Paris and Munich. Was one of the originators of the Kiev Art Academy. Tragically died in 1919.

Features the artist Alexander Murashko: began to study painting by copying the image Victor Vasnetsovfrom the walls of the Vladimir Cathedral in Kiev. This is probably influenced all further work Murashko, and he became a photographer. Most often, the artist painted his family, friends and close acquaintances, finding no interest in painting portraits to order. After traveling to Paris, where the spine meets the work of the Impressionists, his works often become saturated by the sun, he is experimenting with highlights and shadows.

Famous paintings of Alexander Murashko: "Carousel", "Burial Kosh", "Self-portrait", "Rural family", "Portrait of a girl in a red hat", "The Annunciation".

The name of the artist Alexander Murashko somehow not too well known to the public, despite the fact that his paintings in the National art Museum of Ukraine is given a whole room, and in 2015, the national Bank of Ukraine has immortalized it in a commemorative collector's coin. However, it was one of those cultural figures who glorified Ukraine in Europe. Thanks to the incredible tenacity and devotion once and for all chosen the path of a shy boy, the son of a Woodcarver, was able to enter St. Petersburg Academy of arts in the class of the Ilya Repin. Through all his life Alexander Murashko has carried the all-consuming love of painting, and would be able to work until old age, if he has allowed it to survive.

The beginning and the end


In 1900 Alexander Murashko was produced from the St. Petersburg Academy of arts. His creative path was thorny. First, the ant failed to enter the Academy and put him in a Higher art school. Only after two and a half years of his ambitious dream come true. Here the young painter also had a hard time Repin did not immediately saw the talent of his ward. But even with this obstacle, Alexander managed to cope. And for his labors he received the award, which could not even dream of: his painting "the Funeral Mishka", presented at the competition at graduation, won the gold medal and gave ant the right to study abroad at the expense of the Academy.

Work "Burial Kosh" was written, of course, influenced by Repin "The Cossacks"but with quite a different mood. Murashko writes mournful procession of Cossacks dark colors, dark forest seemingly coming at them from all sides, only lights candles snatch persons out of the darkness. Especially detailed and carefully written old Cossack with a Mace (according to some, the prototype of this character was the writer Mykhailo Starytsky). A Central detail in the picture becomes the Mishka coffin covered with a red cloth – the brightest spot on the canvas.

19 years later, the coffin with the body of Alexander Murashko, covered with red fabric, his students and fellow artists were carried on the hands from the Art Academy to the Lukyanovka cemetery. According to some accounts, the artist was one of the victims of "intellectual cleansing" in Kiev. His life was cut short "three strangers" shot in the head.

The hard way


As a child, Sasha Krachkovsky (later took the surname of his stepfather) was very quiet and shy boy, he even stuttered a little bit. However, he had the fortitude and character to act against his stepfather Alexander Ivanovich, who considered the dream boy to become an artist foolishness and folly (he senior Murashko had the icon-painting workshop, wanted to attach to their cause his son, but he had his own tastes and plans in the art). Sasha ran away from home, slept wherever and at one time was very ill, but later, with the support of uncle, Nicholas Murashko (1, 2) and Adriana Prahovastill returned. Stepfather ceased to resist, and all the spare time he began to conduct in the Cathedral of Vladimir, which was painted by famous painters under the leadership of Prahova, including Viktor Vasnetsov. Sasha began to study in the "drawing school" his uncle, and in the Cathedral copied the works by Vasnetsov, one of the first who saw in him the talent.

Tiny steps Alexander moved to his dream – to enter the St. Petersburg Academy of arts.
And he succeeded, albeit not immediately. Amazing dedication helped Murashko even get into the class of Ilya Repin. Although there was a time when Alexander, having doubted myself, wanted to start teaching to another teacher. But then, going on a vacation to his homeland, he brought to the Academy a few landscapes, I showed them to Repin, and the master finally paid attention to it.

The opportunity to travel to Europe to hone his talent, became Murashko a real gift. A lasting impression on him made the work of the Impressionists, has already received recognition. In Paris, he first began to experiment with the play of light, and in Munich immersed in a world of solemnly marching through Europe modern. However, Murashko not be fashionable, and before the end of his days remains a realist with an impressionistic touch.

Kiev


Hometown always remained for Alexander Murashko most favorite place on Earth. Neither the city with its Metropolitan flair, Paris with a Bohemian crowd and the bright lights of riotous living, nor in Munich with modern art trends could not dislodge Kiev from the heart of the artist. After traveling in Europe he was for some time returned to St. Petersburg, however, after living here for three years, and in 1907 moved again to Kiev. "There is a lighthe writes, - here the sun, there is wonderful nature here has its own culture".

Only with Kiev Murashko their future and struggling to develop local painting, supporting young artists. In the years 1909-1912 he taught at the Kiev art school, based at the school of Mykola Murashko, and in 1918 opened his own "Art Studio" where he taught drawing, painting and sculpture. The idea of the artist was to Kiev at the time innovative and unconventional. His students immediately began drawing with charcoal and pencil, and later went on to study painting and anatomy. Murashko wanted to create a brand new school, which in future could compete with St. Petersburg Academy of arts.

The first world war could put an end to the ambitious plans of the spine, but seemed new difficulties only gave him strength. And finally, in 1917, in Kiev opened school, which without exaggeration can be called the brainchild of Alexander Murashko – the Academy of arts, which, changing many names and leaders, continues to fulfill the dream of one dedicated and enthusiastic artist.

Author: Eugene Sidelnikov
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