Lady with a fan 1975

Editor: Hryhorii Havrylenko’s "Lady with a Fan," created in 1975, is an ink drawing on paper that exudes simplicity. Its minimalistic lines create a really interesting sense of calmness. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It whispers rather than shouts, doesn't it? I’m reminded of Matisse’s line drawings – a deceptive simplicity that holds a potent emotional charge. What appears effortless actually requires such disciplined control. See how a single, unbroken line defines her jaw, her shoulders… It suggests a life observed, distilled. Tell me, does that fan strike you as practical or symbolic? Editor: I hadn’t really considered that, but I suppose both! It seems decorative, but also perhaps hinting at some sense of needed modesty, a way of shielding herself? Curator: Exactly! And that duality makes it fascinating. In art, the most ordinary objects can carry multiple meanings, which layer depending on where and when you see them. The “sketchy” and reductive nature gives a feeling of immediacy, which stands in contrast to more polished styles – the figure exists suspended outside of normal time. Does that change how you view it? Editor: It does! Before, I just saw a drawing of a lady, but now I notice the confidence in each single line that describes this image with precision, as if caught in a brief moment. The artist seems very observant and in control. Curator: You’ve touched on the key element here. It’s the confident restraint. Not every artist knows when to stop. Do you think this changes your thinking about sketches, as an art form? Editor: It certainly does. This made me realize sketches aren't always rough drafts but can be deliberately made like this, to highlight the basic shapes. It's more than meets the eye. Curator: Indeed, this ‘Lady’ leaves a lasting impression through its subtle dance of suggestion and revelation.