Student Artwork Guide

Name Class Date

Oleksandr Aksinin, Icarus (1979). Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist: Oleksandr Aksinin originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/oleksandr-aksinin/
Artist’s dates: 1949 – 1985
Painted: 1979

Copyright This work is still under copyright. Oleksandr Aksinin died in 1985; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2055. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.

Icarus — Oleksandr Aksinin

When was this painted?

1940
1950
1960
1970
1980

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 36 at death.

Painted when the artist was 30. The artist lived to 36. 148 of the 353 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Oleksandr Aksinin (1949–1985) ▲ this work, 1979 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1976 Main working years: 1976–1982 Late works: from 1982

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

Cup, 1983 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/oleksandr-aksinin-cup-D7EHFB-en/
Dostoevsky, 1981 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/oleksandr-aksinin-dostoevsky-D7EEWG-en/
M XII, 1982 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/oleksandr-aksinin-m-xii-D7EGUT-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/oleksandr-aksinin-icarus-D3HDBF-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

Main colour

Sea Green #526a5f

Catalogued palette

#526A5F
#F0F2F2
#6A8477
#3A473F

These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

Main colour name: Sea Green
Intensity: Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
Contrast: Gentle How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
Harmony: Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
Brightness: Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
Saturation: Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

Where in the world is this painting looked at?

under 1%
1–3%
3–8%
8–20%
20% and over

This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Oleksandr Aksinin over the last twelve months — 2 countries in all. Where these figures come from

The ten leading countries

1 China 91.8%
2 United States of America 8.2%

Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

The 20 most looked-at works by Oleksandr Aksinin

1 Dance of Salome, 1978 2.7%
2 Gate to the Garden. Alice in Wonderland, 1976 2.7%
3 Icarus, 1979 this painting 2.7%
4 Self Portrait, 1968 2.7%
5 Marine Quadrille. Alice in Wonderland, 1976 2.7%
6 Outdoor Scenery, 1978 2.7%
7 Cancer, 1979 2.7%
8 Hexagram 22, 1984 1.3%
9 Greenhouses, 1979 1.3%
10 Raven, 1980 1.3%
11 Awakening. Alice in Wonderland, 1977 1.3%
12 Exlibris Strumiłło, 1981 1.3%
13 Here, 1981 1.3%
14 Exlibris of V.Cherkasova, 1976 1.3%
15 Exlibris Haniuk W. A., 1976 1.3%
16 Fire, 1981 1.3%
17 Egypt, 1966 1.3%
18 Hall Painting. Abstract #2, 1967 1.3%
19 Texture in the Interior, 1967 1.3%
20 Ene Kull. PostA, 1984 1.3%

Together these works take 35.8% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 353 works by this artist, of which 68 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 3 of them, with 2.7% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

Artist

Oleksandr Aksinin

Born in Lviv, Ukraine

Oleksandr Aksinin: A Master of Soviet Printmaking

Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Born in Lviv, Ukraine in 1949, Oleksandr Aksinin emerged as a significant figure within the Soviet art scene. Details surrounding his early life remain somewhat scarce, but his dedication to artistic pursuits was evident from a young age.

He quickly gravitated towards etching, a printmaking technique that would become synonymous with his name and define his artistic legacy.

Artistic Development and Style

Aksinin’s style is characterized by an exceptional level of precision and detail. This meticulous approach earned him the moniker ‘Dürer of Lviv’, a testament to his technical skill and artistic vision.

His work often depicts scenes from Ukrainian life, particularly winter landscapes and rural settings, rendered with remarkable realism and atmospheric depth.

He explored complex compositions and subtle tonal variations within his etchings, demonstrating a mastery of light and shadow.

Notable Works and Contributions

“The End of Winter” stands as one of Aksinin’s most celebrated masterpieces, showcasing his ability to capture the essence of the Ukrainian winter with breathtaking detail.

His “Haymaking” series exemplifies his attention to the beauty and rhythms of rural life, offering a poignant glimpse into traditional Ukrainian culture.

Beyond these iconic pieces, Aksinin produced a diverse body of work encompassing portraits, landscapes, and abstract compositions, all unified by his distinctive etching technique.

Influences and Artistic Context

While specific artistic influences are not extensively documented, it’s clear that Aksinin was deeply rooted in the traditions of printmaking, drawing inspiration from masters like Albrecht Dürer.

His work reflects the broader context of Soviet art during his lifetime, navigating the complexities of socialist realism while maintaining a unique artistic voice.

The cultural landscape of Ukraine and its rich heritage undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping his subject matter and aesthetic sensibilities.

Legacy and Historical Significance

Despite his relatively short life – he passed away in 1985 – Oleksandr Aksinin left an indelible mark on the world of printmaking.

Art critics have hailed him as a 20th-century master of etching, recognizing his exceptional technical skill and artistic vision.

His works are held in prominent museum collections, including the Kharkov Museum of Art and the Lugansk Regional Art Museum (Ukraine), ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire future generations of artists.

Aksinin’s art provides a valuable window into Ukrainian culture and the artistic landscape of the Soviet era, offering insights into both its triumphs and challenges.

Where to read more

The artist Oleksandr Aksinin originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/oleksandr-aksinin/
Similar works More works to compare originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/oleksandr-aksinin-icarus-D3HDBF-en/

Find this online

QR code linking to the download page for Icarus

originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/oleksandr-aksinin-icarus-D3HDBF-en/

Cite this artwork

MLA: Aksinin, Oleksandr. Icarus. 1979, https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/oleksandr-aksinin-icarus-D3HDBF-en/
APA: Aksinin, Oleksandr (1979). Icarus [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/oleksandr-aksinin-icarus-D3HDBF-en/
Chicago: Oleksandr Aksinin. Icarus. 1979. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/oleksandr-aksinin-icarus-D3HDBF-en/
Harvard: Aksinin, Oleksandr (1979) Icarus. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/oleksandr-aksinin-icarus-D3HDBF-en/

Icarus — Oleksandr Aksinin

Look closely

Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

What catches your eye first, and why?
Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
Look back at Cup (1983), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
Oleksandr Aksinin was about 30 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?
What might the artist have wanted you to feel?

Your response

Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

Questions & Answers

How do I preview a reproduction of "Icarus" by Oleksandr Aksinin?

To preview a reproduction of "Icarus" by Oleksandr Aksinin, open the artwork's Preview page.

What color harmony does "Icarus" by Oleksandr Aksinin display?

The color harmony of "Icarus" is recorded as strong color unity.

How can I get a digital file of "Icarus" by Oleksandr Aksinin?

"Icarus" is available as a high-resolution digital image download, purchased directly on its Digital Image page.