PROFESSORS OF THE UKRAINIAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AS CREATORS OF VISUAL NATIONAL IDENTITY IN THE PERIOD OF FORMATION OF THE UKRAINIAN STATE (1917–1918)

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to summarize the history of creation and analyze the narrativity of design projects of the main visual state attributes (state emblem, banknotes and stamps) of the UNR and the State of P. Skoropadsky. Research methods are based on the fundamental provisions of general scientific methods of analysis, synthesis, generalization. The culturological approach makes it possible to interpret graphic art and design as a cultural phenomenon and a means of visual state identification. The axiological approach is based on the understanding of art as a cultural phenomenon that has an ideological value status. Results: the article analyzes the creative contribution of the founders of the Ukrainian Academy of Arts (modern NAOMA) Heorhiy Narbut and Vasyl Krychevsky in the development of the first graphic state symbols of independent Ukraine in 1917–1918. In the process of studying the design projects of the graphic artist H. Narbut, who was initially a professor and later rector of the Ukrainian Academy of Arts, we analyzed the unique ‘Cossack Baroque’ style of banknote design, which he developed while researching old Ukrainian prints. It was established that H. Narbut was the author of 13 out of 24 banknotes issued during the time of the Ukrainian People’s Republic and the Ukrainian State of the Central Rada and the Hetmanate (1917–1918). The creative achievements of H. Narbut and V. Krychevsky in creating visual projects of the coat of arms of the UNR were also studied. When studying archival documents, it was additionally found out that V. Krychevskyi authored 28 sketches of the Ukrainian coat of arms, postage stamps, coins, the small seal of the UNR, and credit notes. Conclusions. The above allows us to consider the founders of the Ukrainian Academy of Arts, professors H. Narbut and V. Krychevskyi, the main creators of Ukrainian modern state style. After all, their achievements and sketches influenced how the Ukrainian coat of arms, hryvnia, and postage stamps look in modern independent Ukraine.