THE TWO. Serhii Kovalenko

 This original oil painting is a genre piece with formalist elements, blending classical aesthetics with modern techniques. The composition draws inspiration from the works of Late Renaissance artists, particularly the experimental lighting techniques of Caravaggio, and the stylized, poised figures reminiscent of Georges de La Tour’s figurative storytelling. At the center of the composition, two figures sit in a boat, bathed in artificial light from the right, creating a dramatic contrast against the dark, richly detailed background. On the left, a woman sits in profile, dressed in a golden gown with a white, almost Renaissance-like headdress. Her elegant posture and the fan in her hand suggest nobility and refinement. Opposite her, a man sits, dressed more modestly in everyday attire, his expression both attentive and slightly unsettled as he gazes at the woman. Both figures are upright, with the man’s hand resting on the seat of the boat, highlighting their poised, formal demeanor. The background is a semi-formalist evening landscape featuring a water lily-covered pond under a crimson sky. The intricacy of the background evokes the texture of a Gothic tapestry, giving the scene an almost surreal, timeless quality, as if the characters were in an ancient castle illuminated by lamplight. The figures stand out as contrasting local color spots—the woman as a light green presence, and the man as a red focal point—creating a dynamic interplay of color within the composition. The expressive, impasto brushstrokes give the painting texture and life, while the use of decorative planes in realistic forms creates a unique fusion of classical and modern aesthetics. This work beautifully merges the elegance and drama of Renaissance art with the emotional intensity and formal experimentation of contemporary painting, offering a narrative that feels both timeless and intimate.