Forrest outskirt. Carpathians 1958

Hryhorii Havrylenko’s 'Forrest Outskirt. Carpathians' is a monochromatic drawing in ink that captures a dramatic forest edge. The dense network of lines creates a visually arresting composition, oscillating between representation and abstraction. The texture of the ink on paper enhances the gestural quality, imparting an emotional intensity. The density of the vertical lines that form the trees creates a screen, inviting us to consider the interplay between surface and depth. The contrast between the stark white of the paper and the deep black ink destabilizes traditional notions of landscape. We are not simply viewing a scene, but rather encountering a constructed space where the act of drawing itself is foregrounded. Havrylenko uses the formal elements of line and contrast to explore broader themes of perception and representation. This drawing challenges us to reconsider how we see and interpret the natural world through the lens of art, reminding us that meaning is constructed.