Ivan Yizhakevych

Hryhorii Kotliar is recorded as having studied under Ivan Yizhakevych. The recorded working language is Ukrainian. Work by Ivan Yizhakevych is recorded in the collections of National Museum Тaras Shevchenko. Distinctions recorded are People's Painter of the USSR, Honored Art Worker of the Ukrainian SSR and Order of the Red Banner of Labour.

Yizhakevych was born in the village of Vyshnopil, in the vicinity of Uman, Kiev Governorate (modern Ukraine). He was educated at the icon painting workshop of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and between 1882 and 1884 studied at the M. Murashko School of Art in Kyiv. From 1884 and 1888 Yizhakevych attended the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts. In 1907 Yizhakevych returned to Kyiv, where he stayed until the end of his life, continuing his work as artist and for a short period engaged in teaching. He died in 1962.

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. • Illustration — Mazepa's Tower in Pechersk • Illustration — Saint Volodymyr Hill • Illustration — Orans at St. Cyril's Church, Kyiv (1884) • Illustration — Intercession Monastery

Ivan Yizhakevych is recorded as having received People's Painter of the USSR, Honored Art Worker of the Ukrainian SSR and Order of the Red Banner of Labour.