Petrykivsky painting: what makes this technique special?

Decorative painting is one of the brightest pages in the history of Ukrainian culture. Names of the artists from a small village in Dnipropetrovska oblast who has mastered this technique are widely known beyond our country. Why? Let’s see.

Graphic motives which at first were used mostly as wall ornaments soon became commonly used to decorate household objects, musical instruments, souvenirs and toys. Nowadays they can also be seen on textile and typographic products. There’s magic in these precise lines, contrastive colours and openwork patterns, bewitching and putting a beholder into a state of deep esthetic pleasure. Perhaps, that is where lies the secret of their popularity.

Despite the fact that the birth of this technique is usually dated the beginning of the twentieth century, it began developing long before that. A well defined set of recognizable images used in Petrykivsky painting came into existence as a result of the transfer of Zaporozhsky kossacks traditions from one generation to the next. First items decorated with it, which now can be seen in museums, date XVIII century.

Special traits of petrikivsky style

Petrikivsky paining is recognizable mostly thanks to the predominance of floral patterns in it. Yet it’s not what makes it special. Images abound in non existing plants that are combinations of the elements of local flora (for instance, atraphaxis replicata or allium). Existing plants, such as roses, asters, bluettes, dahlias, vine leaves and clusters of snowball tree berries appear to be somewhat surreal. Featherlike leaves reminding fern are also a common element. Patterns are traditionally inserted on black, white or golden groundwork. Abundance of bright colours and richness of images are associated with prosperity, well-being and lightheartedness. This is the source of these items’ appeal.

Another unique characteristic is a refusal to draft sketches. Artists insert the pattern right away without drafting the lines of a future image. Most commonly used tools are thin brushes and stems. Some elements are introduced using nothing but fingers. The process of painting is often compared with meditation as it requires maximum concentration and confidence, smoothness and precision in every movement.

Symbolism in Petrykivsky painting

Another distinctive feature of Petrykivsky painting is its symbolic nature: every colour and pattern has its own meaning, which gives every painted object special significance. For instance, snowball symbolizes prosperity, hollyhock – fame and nobility, irises – a new beginning, a dawn of new life. Therefore, if you buy Petrykivsky style painted gifts, they will be not only a home decoration, but also a sort of charm, your non verbal wishes expressed by the elements of the painting.

Worldwide famous

In 2013 this decorative technique originating from a small Ukrainian village was acknowledged a part of world’s intangible cultural heritage and was included in the corresponding list of UNESCO. This was a significant event for the whole Ukrainian nation giving us another reason to be proud of our history and culture.
Ukrainian gifts decorated with Petrykivsky painting

Nowadays decorative painting on wood has become the most popular. Various souvenirs made using this technique can be found in thousands of houses in Ukraine and all over the world. The most original and commonly used items are painted jewel-boxes and Christmas tree decorations. Once canonical black groundwork is now replaced with a multitude of bright colours, which allows every artist to keep to his/her unique style using favourite colours and ornaments. However, the very fact that every such item is hand-crafted by a master of Petrykivsky style painting is enough to make it unique.

Souvenirs presented by Ukrgifts are made of natural wood, painted with honey-based paints and then glazed with mat or sleek lacquer. They are fully hand-crafted and reflect all the richness and uniqueness of Ukrainian culture. Their value is beyond any doubt.

Where you can buy ukrainian hand painted Easter ornaments and ceramic?
Of course in UkrGifts.com.
This Year we take part in the following markets in Germany and Austria:

France

COLMAR CELEBRATES SPRING
4. bis 22. April 2019 

Austria

Altwiener Ostermakt 
(Freyung 6B, 1010 Wien)
5. bis 22. April 2019 täglich von 10.00 – 19.00 Uhr

Ostermarkt Innsbruck
12. bis 22. April 2019 täglich von 11.00 – 19 Uhr

Ostermarkt auf Schloss Hof 
(Schloßhof 1, 2294 Schloßhof)
Am Wochenende von 10.00 – 18 Uhr
30.03.2019 - 31.03.2019 
06.04.2019 - 07.04.2019 
13.04.2019 - 14.04.2019 
20.04.2019 - 22.04.2019 

Deutschland

DRESDNER OSTERN 2019
Dresden, Messering, 6 
28. bis 31. März 2019

Europafest in der City 2019
Magdeburg, Altstadt  
07.06.2019 – 10.06.2019
12:00 - 20:00 Uhr

Primavera (Berlin)
Berlin Schöneberg auf der Akazien,-Belziger Straße
04.05 – 05.05.2019, 11:00-21:00

Potsdamer Töpfermarkt
(Potsdam, Mittelstraße und Benkertstraße)
7. – 8. September 2019
Samstag 10 – 19 Uhr
Sonntag 11 – 18 Uhr

Kürbisfest (Berlin)
Berlin Schöneberg auf der Akazien,-Belziger Straße
05.10 – 06.10.2019, 11:00-21:00

Where you can buy ukrainian hand painted Сhristmas ornaments and ceramic?
This Year we take part in the following Christmasmarkets in Germany and Austria.

BERLIN

Liebe Freunde,
UkrGifts.com nimmt am Internationalen Donaufest Ulm (6. - 15.7.2018) teil. 
Auf unserem Stand werden Jeden Tag kostenlose Workshops für Petrykiwka Malerei stattfinden! Wir laden Erwachsene und Kinder ein!
Sie können die grundlegenden Elemente dieser traditionellen Kunst erlernen, auch wenn Sie zuvor nie gemalt haben!

https://www.donaufest.de

Dear friends,

We take part on 6. Europafest, 18.05. - 21.05.2018.
A lot of ukrainian hand-made and hand-painted things with Perykivka Painting

Welcome!

We continue to acquaint European inhabitants and its guests with Ukrainian traditions of handicraft, as well as with Ukrainian culture highlight that is Petrykivka painting.
There are not only traditional Pysanky, but also our favorite wooden painted birds, chickens, cockerels, bunnies and other animals, as well as beads, earrings and bracelets and many other things in our Easter menu. We will present only half a year of work (during the first half-year we are working on Christmas theme, and during the second one we are working on Easter theme) at our Easter events. Come and see!