Pavlyuk Nikolay - an outstanding artist, teacher, the foundation of a dynasty of artists

Nikolay Artemovich Pavlyuk (1901–1984) holds a prominent place in the world of Ukrainian art. A distinguished Ukrainian painter and a member of prestigious organizations such as the Association of Revolutionary Art of Ukraine and the Union of Artists of Ukraine, he left behind a rich legacy in easel painting and monumental art. His surname also became a dynasty of artists: his son, Georgy Pavlyuk, became a talented Odesa painter and professor, and his granddaughter, Galina Pavlyuk, became an artist known for her vibrant palette.

Nikolay Pavlyuk's paintings are imbued with a deep understanding of history and everyday life, and they continue to attract significant interest from art connoisseurs.

The Artist's Development: From Railway Worker to Student of the Odesa Art Institute

Nikolay Pavlyuk was born on December 19, 1901, in the city of Haysyn, Podolian Governorate (now Vinnytsia Oblast, Ukraine). The Pavlyuk family frequently moved, living in the villages of Petrashivtsi and Sobolivka in the Teplitsky district, which may have contributed to the future artist's broad perspective. His father, Artem Platonovich, was a railway worker, and Nikolay also worked at the Kryzhopil, Balta, and Kotovsk stations.

A turning point in his life came in 1923 when, after demobilization from the army, he enrolled in the Odesa Art Institute. Under the guidance of talented educators like Danylo Krainev and Pavel Volokidin, Nikolay Pavlyuk honed his skills, laying the foundations for his unique style. After graduating in 1930, he began his professional career in Makiivka, then dedicated himself to teaching at art institutes in Kyiv and Odesa.

On the Front and in Post-War Art

The war years became a serious test for Nikolay Pavlyuk. He directly participated in military actions, including the heroic defense of Odesa. After the war, returning to peaceful life, he actively engaged in the country's reconstruction, heading the Odesa Art College. At the Ushinsky Pedagogical Institute and the art college, he taught courses on art history, composition, and graphics, sharing his rich experience and knowledge with young talents. Among his famous students are names such as O. Yermolenko, Konstantin Lomykin, Volodymyr Lytvynenko, Ellaida Neyman, Valentin Filipenko, Leonid Yavorsky, Georgy Pavlyuk (his son and also an artist), Volodymyr Vlasov, and Albin Havdzinsky.

For a long time, Nikolay Pavlyuk held the responsible position of secretary of the Odesa regional organization of the Union of Artists. His contribution to the development of the region's artistic life was immense.

Creative Legacy: From Frescoes to Exhibitions

Nikolay Pavlyuk primarily worked in easel painting, but his creative range was much broader. Among his significant works is the fresco "Under the Yoke of Tsarism" in the M. Kotsyubynsky Press House in Odesa (1929–1930), as well as participation in the murals of the VUTsVK Sanatorium in Odesa in 1929.

The artist was an active participant in numerous art exhibitions, showcasing his works to the general public:

• All-Ukrainian Anniversary Exhibition dedicated to the 10th Anniversary of October (1927, traveling)
• 2nd All-Ukrainian Art Exhibition of the People's Commissariat of Education of the Ukrainian SSR (1929, traveling)
• 9th and 10th Ukrainian Art Exhibitions (1947, 1949)
• Exhibition "Art of Soviet Ukraine" in Kharkiv (1936)
• Anniversary Exhibition of Artists of the Ukrainian SSR (1937)
• Graphics exhibitions on the history of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) (1940)
• Art exhibition of graphics in memory of pilot V. P. Chkalov (1941)
• Exhibition of Fine Arts of the Ukrainian SSR dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the reunification of Ukraine with Russia (1954, in Moscow and Odesa)

His many years of work and contribution to art were recognized with an Honorary Diploma from the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR.

Nikolay Artemovich Pavlyuk passed away on March 8, 1984, in Odesa, where he was buried in the Slobidske Cemetery. His art, imbued with deep historicism and attention to humanity, is an important part of Ukraine's cultural heritage.

Nikolay Pavlyuk's legacy allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the development of Ukrainian painting in the 20th century. His works not only reflect the historical events and daily life of his time but also convey emotional depth, demonstrating mastery in composition and color. The fact that Nikolay Pavlyuk became the founder of an artistic dynasty, fostering love and skill in subsequent generations of Ukrainian artists, deserves special attention and respect.