Artwork

Старий вчитель. Портрет Миколи Мурашка

Старий вчитель. Портрет Миколи Мурашка, by Oleksandr Murashko, oil, 1906
Старий вчитель. Портрет Миколи Мурашка, by Oleksandr Murashko, oil, 1906

Старий вчитель. Портрет Миколи Мурашка is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Oleksandr Murashko. It dates from 1906 and is held in the collection of the National Art Museum of Ukraine.

About this work

Overview

Oleksandr Murashko’s 1906 oil painting titled *Старий вчитель. Портрет Миколи Мурашка* presents a contemplative portrait of an elderly man set against a pastoral backdrop. The work exemplifies Murashko’s post‑impressionist phase and is part of the National Art Museum of Ukraine’s permanent collection, offering a quiet glimpse into early‑20th‑century Ukrainian art.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is an aged teacher, distinguished by a flowing white beard, mustache, and a dark hat and coat. Behind him stretches a field where laborers attend to the land, suggesting a connection between intellectual guidance and agrarian life, and evoking a mood of calm reflection.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the painting employs visible brushwork that creates texture and a subtle sense of movement. Murashko balances light and shadow to model the figure, while the loose strokes in the background convey atmospheric depth, aligning the piece with post‑impressionist concerns for color, form, and emotional resonance.

History & Provenance

Created in 1906, the portrait entered the holdings of the National Art Museum of Ukraine, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to preserving works by leading Ukrainian artists of the period and to illustrating the development of national artistic identity.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Oleksandr Murashko

Artist

Oleksandr Murashko

Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Murashko (Ukrainian: Олександр Олександрович Мурашко; September 7 1875 – June 14, 1919) was a prominent Ukrainian artist, widely known for his unusually expressive paintings.