125 Years of Kateryna Bilokur: How a Peasant Became a Genius of Ukrainian Painting

According to Велика українська енциклопедія: Today, December 7, marks 125 years since the birth of the outstanding master of folk decorative painting, Kateryna Vasylivna Bilokur. She was born on December 7, 1900, in the village of Bohdaniivka, which now belongs to the Boryspil district of Kyiv region, and passed away on June 10, 1961, in the same district.

In her work, Bilokur combined the immediacy of individual perception with the originality of its artistic reproduction, high mastery, and plastic perfection of compositions. Among her works were still lifes, landscapes, portraits, and also self-portraits created in the 1950s.

“Deeply psychological portraits, such as ‘Olia Bilokur’ (1928) and ‘Tetyana Bakhmach’ (1932–1933), continue the traditions of the Ukrainian parsun from the 18th century.”

Bilokur's landscapes were aimed at realistic reproduction of natural corners, and her work received high acclaim, as confirmed by bestowing the title of People's Artist of the USSR upon the artist in 1956.

Kateryna Vasylivna Bilokur is an outstanding Ukrainian artist of folk decorative painting, distinguished by her unique creativity, which continues to enchant art lovers. Her works inspire and preserve the beauty of nature and Ukrainian ethnic culture.