Painting. Portrait of Symon Petliura.

By V. I. Pobokov. 

The figure is depicted frontally, seated on a bench with his arms crossed over his chest. Petliura is wearing an olive-coloured military uniform with collar insignia and a trident emblem on the sleeve, a symbol of Ukrainian statehood. The background features a garden landscape with greenery and architectural elements, creating an atmosphere of tranquillity and contemplation.

The artist focuses on the psychological characterisation of the sitter. The restrained gaze, composed posture, and austere compositional structure emphasise the image of a statesman, political leader, and Chief Ataman of the Ukrainian People’s Republic Army. The softly modelled facial features and balanced colour scheme contribute to the portrayal of the figure’s inner strength and spiritual concentration.

The work is executed in a realistic manner with elements of historical reconstruction. The combination of historically detailed uniform features with a generalised landscape background gives the portrait a commemorative character and underscores its historical and patriotic orientation. The colour scheme is based on a harmonious combination of green, brown, and light grey tones, enhancing the overall unity of the composition.

Provenance: The painting was donated to the museum by the artist in 2016.