The thesis is complex research on illustrating Ukrainian children’s books in the first third of the 20th century. The research purpose is to identify the stylistic features of illustration and to produce a holistic picture of the formation of children’s book illustrations of the studied period. The study was conducted based on the collections of the Book Chamber of Ukraine (Kyiv), National Library of Ukraine for Children (Kyiv), Pedagogical Museum of Ukraine (Kyiv), National Art Museum of Ukraine (Kyiv), Museum of the Books and Book Printing of Ukraine (Kyiv), State Literary Museum (Odesa).
The thesis describes activities of such publishers as Chas (Time), Drukar (Printer), Krynytsia (Well), Siiach (Sower), Voloshky (Knapweed)societies. It is proven that the activities of small publishing houses significantly influenced the formation of the literary range of children’s books and their design. The latter was traditional and stylistically close to realism with ethnographic flair. It was determined that in the early 20th century, children’s books were primarily educational publications, written and illustrated specifically for children. The artworks of YuriiMahalevskyi (1876–1935),Prosvita artistfrom Katerynoslav,were reviewed. His works in children’s books were one of the most expressive manifestations of a realistic school that had a sufficient professional basis. The works of almost forgotten artist MykolaPohribniak, anapprentice of F. Krasytskyi and O. Slastion, were analysed. Also, it was outlined the earlier work of Petro Lapyn, a Ukrainian artist, who lived and worked in Kyiv, cooperating with a range of publishers: Vernyhora, Derzhavnevydavnytstvo (State Publishing House), Prolisky (Snowdrops), and later in 1930th, with Knyhospilka (Book Union)and Rukh (Movement). Creative achievements in children’s book illustration by Ivan Burachokand Ivan Padalka, who wasclose to theBoichukists, were analysed.
The works of M. Zhuk, S. Herken-Rusova, V. Zamyrailo, and O. Sudomora in the 1910s and 1920s were considered and examined. The stylistic features of modernism in the works of these masters were highlighted. Archival documents of the Central State Archive of Supreme Bodies of Power and Government of Ukraine were published covering the role of H. Narbut, M. Zhuk in Ukrainian textbooks creation during 1917–1919. Book illustrations by H. Narbut, P. Lapyn, and O. Sudomora were attributed and introduced into scientific circulation.Zhovtnevakazka (October Tale), a previously unpublished book with illustrations by the artist, was introduced into scientific circulation.
A new concept of design — “Principles of illustrating children’s books” — was examined by studying the theoretical works of the art critic F. Shmit and the psychologist and educator B.Butnik-Siverskyi. This book became the basis for the experiments of the 1920s and 1930s. The aspects of the interaction between B. Butnik-Siverskyiаnd artists B. Kriukov and Ye. Rachev were studied.
The 1920s and 1930s are considered as a period of rethinking and reformationof a children’s book. The main impact factor was the changein ideological objectives for books and plot diversity, as well as expansion of themes (industrial storylines were encouraged). This led to the creation of the space for the author’s experiments and changes in the composition and artistic means such as generalisation and conventionalism in form and space interpretation, the flatness of the image, primitivism and children’s drawing simulation. These trends are illustrated by the works of L. Hamburher, B. Yermolenko, V. Kozlovskyi, L. Kryvinska, B. Kriukova, I. Nizhnyk, Ye. Rachev.
The study describes the general style features of children’s book illustrations in the first third of the 20th century. Their close dependence on childhood psychology and the dominant ideology is shown, the changein psychological ideas about childhood and ideological book objectives are demonstrated. Ukrainian children’s illustrations of the first third of the 20th century are analysed as a complex phenomenon formed as a result of the interaction between artistic, psychological, cultural, and technological factors. It is proven that in the first third of the 20th century, Ukrainian children's books manifested wide polystylism, from ethnographic and populist realism to constructivism and experimental search achievements.
Keywords: children’s book, children’s illustration, modern, B. Butnik-Siverskyi,M. Zhuk,H. Narbut, B. Kriukov, P. Lapyn.O. Sudomora,Ye. Rachev.
