Ivan Yizhakevych

Ivan Sydorovych Yizhakevych (; January 18, 1864 – January 19, 1962) was a Soviet and Ukrainian painter and writer. One of the most popular Ukrainian artists, in 1951 he was awarded the title People's Painter of the Ukrainian SSR.

Life Yizhakevych was born in the village of Vyshnopil, in the vicinity of Uman,

In 1907 Yizhakevych returned to Kyiv, where he styed until the end of his life, continuing his work as artist and for a short period engaged in teaching. He died in 1962.

Works

Yizhakevych's paintings reflect themes from Ukrainian history, such as Kyi, Shchek and Khoryv, Cossack battles, and Haidamaky. Yizhakevych also illustrated works by Ukrainian writers, among them Kobzar by Taras Shevchenko, The Forest Song by Lesya Ukrainka, Eneida by Ivan Kotliarevsky, Boryslav Stories by Ivan Franko.

Yizhakevych made numerous artistic contributions to Kyiv churches, working on the restoration of frescoes at the St. Cyril's Church in Kyiv and decorating the Refectory Church of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. Between 1884 and 1917 many reproductions of Yizhakevych's works related to Ukrainian history and culture were published in Niva magazine.

Many of Yizhakevych's paintings are dedicated to Ukrainian religious traditions, history of the Cossacks and haidamaks. He also created a series of views of Kyiv. His later works are closer to Soviet style.