The representation of mythological plots in works of the participants of the informal art association "Garden of gods"

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2640.2025.160.6

Abstract

Background. At the beginning of the 20th century, the young generation of Ukrainian artists was in the process of creative exploration and professional development. This was a time of artistic transformation when old trends were being replaced by new ones. The realistic approach in painting gradually ceased to be dominant, as artists begin to use symbolism in their artworks. So, against the background of such changes, an 
informal art association called "Garden of gods" emerged and developed in the Poltava region, bringing together individuals interested in mythology, 
athleticism, and they depicted of such themes in their works. The relevance of this topic is explained by the need for a comprehensive analysis of the artistic legacy of the association's participants, as "Garden of gods" remains a unique phenomenon in Ukrainian culture. The aim of this article is to explore the mutual influences among the artists within the association and to analyze their representations of ancient Greek mythological narratives in their works. 
Methods. This study employs an anthropocentric approach, focusing on both the individual artists of the "Garden of gods" association and their artistic works reflecting mythological narratives. A stylistic method is used to analyze the creative works of the association's participants. Additionally, the research integrates principles and methods of historical-anthropological analysis in combination with biographical, iconographic, 
historical-analytical, figurative, and semiotic approaches. 
Results. A detailed analysis of the early works of "Garden of gods" association members – Ivan Miasoedov, Vsevolod Maksymovych, and Fedir Krychevskyi – was conducted, focusing on their depiction of mythological themes in painting. Additionally, the study identified mutual influences of these artists on each other, which reflected in their artworks. 
Conclusions. The informal cultural and artistic association "Garden of gods" emerged as a fascinating and innovative phenomenon in 20th-century Ukrainian art. A whole generation of artists within the group explored mythological themes from antiquity, sought the concept of "eternal beauty," and strived to move beyond strictly academic norms to develop their own artistic style. Analyzing their artistic journeys highlights the impact 
of various factors on the early stages of their work, while their shared painting practice in Pavlenky, Poltava region, contributed to both their professional growth and artistic innovation.