Title: Oil painting Still life with books Oleksandr Gukalov Description: NoAAA5548The Oil painting on canvas titled "Still life with books" captures a timeless still life arrangement, where objects steeped in cultural, intellectual, and artistic meaning are brought together in quiet harmony. The scene is carefully balanced between warmth and restraint, creating an atmosphere of contemplation, as though the objects themselves carry the lingering breath of past lives, music, and thought. At the center of the composition rests a dark bronze pitcher, its curved form standing tall, polished yet heavy with history. The vessel is not merely a utilitarian object but a symbol of domestic warmth, of the simple human rituals that accompany study and reflection. Its gleaming surface, highlighted by deliberate brushstrokes, reflects light softly, giving the impression of an inner glow. Positioned next to it, stacks of books form a foundation of intellectual life, their covers painted in deep shades of red and green, their spines thick with the weight of ideas. One book lies open, pages stretching outward, suggesting knowledge revealed or thoughts interrupted midstream. Draped across the wooden table is a deep blue cloth, its folds and shadows enriching the composition with both depth and symbolic resonance. Blue, the color of introspection and calm, here becomes the canvas upon which knowledge and creativity rest. A sheet of music, stark white against the darker tones, is placed diagonally, drawing the eye toward the flute that lies across it. The flute, slender and carefully detailed, becomes a bridge between intellectual pursuit and artistic expression. It implies that while books capture reason, and the pitcher holds the warmth of daily life, music embodies the spirit, an intangible breath given form through art. The table itself, painted with earthy solidity, grounds the composition. Its carved leg peeks into view, reminding the viewer of craftsmanship and tradition. Above, the grey background fades softly into darkness, offering no distractions but instead focusing attention on the objects, isolating them as though they exist outside of time. This deliberate simplicity intensifies the narrative: these are not mere things, but vessels of meaning, each carrying within them echoes of human life.*** ABOUT THIS PAINTING **** TITLE: "Still life with books"* ARTISTS: Oleksandr Gukalov* SIZE: 60x80 cm/23.62x31.49 inches'* MEDIUM: oil, canvas* HAND PAINTED: Original painting from our collection* CONDITION: we tried to convey the maximum information with the help of photos about this product About the artists: Alexander GukalovAfter graduating from Lviv Polytechnic, he was engaged in scientific work. In his free time, he studied the works of Plato, the poetry of the ancient East, and religious works. At this time, resistance to the routine of life and utilitarian science arose in him; he became interested in man and his secrets. Alexander decided to end his engineering career and become a humanitarian. Since 1990, he began to write and publish philosophical poems. Later he decided to devote himself to painting, a passion for which began during his years of study at the Lviv Polytechnic with caricatures and caricatures of classmates and teachers.Since 2017 he has been painting with oil paints. Alexander does not have a formal art education, but he is convinced that the craft and talent of an artist do not directly depend on professional education. The artist's works are characterized by completeness of composition and depth of meaning. He is not afraid to work with different themes, his paintings are true modern art that touches people. The artist's portfolio includes landscapes and views of his favorite cities, portraits of pop stars, politicians, athletes, relatives, and animals. "I draw a toga when I feel the need for it. Therefore, I cannot say that I work in some narrow direction. Rather, it is a call from the soul," the artist says about himself.Exhibitions2011 - Personal exhibition, Lutsk2011 - Exhibition "World of Jazz", Lutsk2011 - Exhibition Arts.in.ua, Kiev2012 - Personal exhibition in the art cafe "Apartment 35", Lviv2012 - Personal exhibition "On the Waves of Dreams", Lutsk2012 - International exhibition "Plain Air", West Park Art Gallery, New York2012 - International competition "Peace, Time and People", special medal of achievements St. Michael, New York2012 - Exhibition of artists who were included in the K-Gallery catalogue, Kyiv2012 - International exhibition-competition of contemporary art "Ukrainian Art Week", Kyiv2013 - opening of a permanent exhibition and sale, Lutsk2013 - Exhibition "Spring Impressions" of the international art project "Vicious Circle of Impressions", Kiev2015 - Personal exhibition, Lutsk2015 - Ukrainian-Italian exhibition "Single Space", Kyiv2015 - International art project "New York - Tokyo", Tokyo2016 - International art project "Color in Motion", New York Realism Gallery, first place and Gold medal in the category "Impressionism", New York2021 - International exhibition "Art Nest Paris", Paris
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