Taras Shevchenko :: Art Artist Research Essays

Taras Shevchenko Taras Shevchenko was born to Hryhoriy and Kateryna Hrushivsky-Shevchenko on 25 February 1814. Growing up in poverty and misery, Taras managed to maintain his spirits and continue to be curious of the world and those around him (4). His father was a great influence to him. He was well known around the village for his practical knowledge and intelligence. Hryhoriy stressed the importance of literacy to his children during their school days. Despite the weekly beatings of the pupils, in agreement with the old academic tradition, Taras was an energetic student and a fast learner (4). Exploring his options, Taras realized his interests and talent for writing poetry and painting. In his early teens, Pavel Engelhardt took Taras to serve as a traveling house boy. Pavel was the first person notice his painting talents, and sent him to apprentice under V. Shiriaev (2). During those four years, he spent his free time sketching and painting images of the summer gardens. Through Engelhardt, Shevchenko met Ukrainian artist Ivan Soshenko, Ye. Hrebinka, Vasyl Hryhorovych, and Alexey Venetsianov. With the help and advice of the mentors, Shevchenko enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg. On top of his general education, Taras pursued his love of art and poetry. In 1840, his first collection of poems was published. Kobzar was a collection of eight Romantic poems. It was through his life time of poetry works that the people of Ukraine were provided with original characteristics about their culture and history (4). Taras Shevchenko’s drive behind most of his paintings and poems was driven by his concern of the state that Ukraine was in. Each of his new projects was centered on the old historic ruins of the Ukraine that he remembered as a young boy. These sketching were collected in the album Zhivopisnaia Ukraina (4). Trouble began for Taras Shevchenko shortly after he joined Cyril and Methodius Brotherhood in 1864. An accusation to the arrest of several of the members, including Shevchenko (4).