Female image. Illustration to Dante "Vita Nova" 1965

Hryhorii Havrylenko made this illustration to Dante's "Vita Nova" using pen and ink, a traditional choice, but one given a very modern feel in his hands. The material itself, ink on paper, is humble. But look closely, and you'll see how Havrylenko coaxes immense texture and tone from it, building up cross-hatched lines to suggest shadow and form. The straight lines give the image its graphic quality, and its distinctive appearance, with the lines suggesting volume and depth. Consider the sheer labor involved in creating this illustration, all those lines drawn individually. Havrylenko's commitment to the slow, deliberate process of drawing is evident in the final image, and elevates the work beyond a mere reproduction. Ultimately, this illustration reminds us that even the simplest of materials can be transformed into something extraordinary through skill, time, and focused intention. It challenges us to consider the value of craft in a world increasingly dominated by mass production.