Oil painting Portrait of a Cossack Oleksandr Gukalov

№AAA3498

The painting titled "Portrait of a Cossack", rendered in oil on canvas, juxtaposes traditional and modern elements to create a striking and thought-provoking visual narrative. At its core, the artwork presents a Cossack—a historical figure symbolic of freedom, bravery, and cultural heritage—seated in an open landscape. However, the Cossack is not armed with the tools of war or tradition but instead holds an electric guitar, blending the past with contemporary artistic expression.The figure of the Cossack is depicted in traditional attire: a long coat and blue trousers, reflecting the historical aesthetic of Ukrainian Cossacks. His iconic shaved head with a forelock (oseledets) is unmistakably tied to his cultural identity. Despite these traditional markers, his relaxed posture, modern guitar, and amplifier create a visual and conceptual tension. This duality invites the viewer to consider the intersection of cultural heritage and modernity.Behind the Cossack, a black horse stands tethered, symbolizing loyalty and strength. The horse, a traditional companion of the Cossack, further grounds the scene in historical context. Surrounding elements, such as a campfire and trees, evoke a sense of pastoral simplicity. Yet the presence of the electric guitar amplifier, complete with visible wires, starkly contrasts with the rural environment, serving as a metaphor for the blending of old and new worlds.The color palette is rich yet balanced, with earthy greens and browns dominating the background, while the bright white of the guitar draws the viewer's focus to the centerpiece. The sky, with its soft blue hues and scattered clouds, provides a serene backdrop, enhancing the painting's contemplative mood.Through this work, the artist seems to explore themes of cultural evolution and the fusion of tradition with contemporary identity. The Cossack, historically a symbol of resistance and independence, is reimagined as a musician, expressing his spirit through music rather than battle. The painting suggests that while the tools may change, the essence of cultural expression—passion, resilience, and creativity—remains timeless. It invites the viewer to reflect on the ways in which tradition can be adapted to resonate in the modern world.

*** ABOUT THIS PAINTING ***
* TITLE: "Portrait of a Cossack"
* ARTISTS: Oleksandr Gukalov
* SIZE: 60x60 cm/'23.62x23.62 inches'
* MEDIUM: oil, canvas
* HAND PAINTED: Original painting from our collection
* CONDITION: we tried to convey the maximum information with the help of photos about this product

About the artists: Oleksiyander Gukalov
After graduating from Lviv Polytechnic, he was engaged in scientific work. In his free time, he studied the works of Plato, the poetry of the ancient East, and religious works. At this time, resistance to the routine of life and utilitarian science arose in him; he became interested in man and his secrets. Oleksiyander decided to end his engineering career and become a humanitarian. Since 1990, he began to write and publish philosophical poems. Later he decided to devote himself to painting, a passion for which began during his years of study at the Lviv Polytechnic with caricatures and caricatures of classmates and teachers.

Since 2017 he has been painting with oil paints. Oleksiyander does not have a formal art education, but he is convinced that the craft and talent of an artist do not directly depend on professional education. The artist's works are characterized by completeness of composition and depth of meaning. He is not afraid to work with different themes, his paintings are true modern art that touches people. The artist’s portfolio includes landscapes and views of his favorite cities, portraits of pop stars, politicians, athletes, relatives, and animals. “I draw a toga when I feel the need for it. Therefore, I cannot say that I work in some narrow direction. Rather, it is a call from the soul,” the artist says about himself.

Exhibitions

2011 – Personal exhibition, Lutsk

2011 – Exhibition “World of Jazz”, Lutsk

2011 – Exhibition Arts.in.ua, Kiev

2012 – Personal exhibition in the art cafe “Apartment 35”, Lviv

2012 – Personal exhibition “On the Waves of Dreams”, Lutsk

2012 – International exhibition “Plain Air”, West Park Art Gallery, New York

2012 – International competition “Peace, Time and People”, special medal of achievements St. Michael, New York

2012 – Exhibition of artists who were included in the K-Gallery catalogue, Kyiv

2012 – International exhibition-competition of contemporary art “Ukrainian Art Week”, Kyiv

2013 – opening of a permanent exhibition and sale, Lutsk

2013 – Exhibition “Spring Impressions” of the international art project “Vicious Circle of Impressions”, Kiev

2015 – Personal exhibition, Lutsk

2015 – Ukrainian-Italian exhibition “Single Space”, Kyiv

2015 – International art project “New York – Tokyo”, Tokyo

2016 – International art project “Color in Motion”, New York Realism Gallery, first place and Gold medal in the category “Impressionism”, New York

2021 – International exhibition “Art Nest Paris”, Paris

Oleksandr Gukalov