Two distinguished painters from the Ukraine captured my attention and interest. German Gold, the Judaic Art Master par excellence and Konstantin Pavlishin the Christian Modern Classicism Art Leader in Eastern Europe. Finally, I have the opportunity and the time to write a piece on Pavlishin. There are several traits of distinction in the artistic technique of Pavlishin. The most predominant one is perfection in and for details, especially in the most intimate and truthful facial expressions. When you look at distance at this very large painting “Jesus on the Cross”, you are looking at an imposing fresco on linen. It attracts your attention for a while, and short after, you nod your head telling yourself “an other old classical piece”. But, if you come closer, you will stay longer than you expect it. You will spend some time looking at this marvelous work; The faces…The expressions on the faces will hold you, will retain you and might lead you to ask yourself some questions about the details mastery that depicted times and figures we do not encounter any more in our modern time. Where and how did Pavlishin find those faces? How did he know about those most realistic expressions of fear, anxiety, sorrow, helpfulness, despair and piety of his personages? Is it inspiration? A religious fervor? An imagination? Copying other masters? Or what? You have to think. And you begin to think upon looking at a painting as de La Croix once explained, you become involved with the painting you are looking at, admiring it maybe or exploring, most likely. And in doing so, the art becomes to life and begin to talk to you. This what makes art, real art. Better, this what makes art, human, intelligent, real and beyond you.” You have this feeling when you are in the presence or before Pavlishin’s art! I admire his mesmerizing and religiously rebellious talent! In this genre, he is unique.

Pavlishin mastered the technique and finesse of details. In that sense, he is truthful to the classical tradition.  My teacher de La Croix wrote this about this fine Ukrainian artist:” Pavlishin reinvented a scenery scenario by placing his personages and moving them around like shadows of light you are chasing for no reasons. Yet, you keep on following those shadows and you never stop even for one second to wonder and question yourself what are you doing. By then, a long long time slipped away and you didn’t know it. This is the beauty of art. This is the magic of art. Before a real piece of art, there is no more time. There is no more space. There is YOU and the Painting, and nothing else, and nobody else. You might experience this feeling if you are nearby  Pavlishin’s paintings”.

Pavlishin’s art has this quality.