In the moon light

Victor Hontariv (1943-2009) was a prominent monumental and easel painter, a member of National Art Academy, recipient of Shevchenko National Prize (2009), which he was awarded for his series of works entitled “My Gogol.” He graduated from Kharkiv art college in 1963 and St. Petersburgh Higher Art College in 1972. He was a professor at Kharkiv Art Academy. His works carry a unique visual language of “monumental storytelling” inspired by novels of Mykola Gogol, village scenes of Sloboshanshchyna and artist’s childhood memories. The artist’s unique style was followed by many of his students and he left a number of followers whom are often called “Hontariata.”