Mykhailo Deregus

Mykhailo Deregus

Born on December 5, 1904, in the Kharkiv region, Mykhailo Deregus was a Ukrainian artist, graphic artist, illustrator, and cultural figure. He was an academician, professor, People’s Artist of Ukraine, and laureate of the State Prize named after T. Shevchenko. Deregus devoted much of his work to Cossack history and imagery.

He studied at the Kharkiv Art Institute (now the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts), where he later taught. He headed the State Museum of Ukrainian Fine Arts of the Ukrainian SSR (now the National Art Museum of Ukraine). For almost 30 years, he headed the graphic workshop of the USSR Academy of Arts in Kyiv. Since 1995, he has been a professor at the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture.

M. Deregus is the author of numerous articles on fine arts.

The artist created several graphic series dedicated to the Ukrainian Cossacks. Working in watercolor, tempera, linocut, and etching techniques, he developed an expressive, recognizable style.

His most famous works include illustrations for historical and literary pieces, particularly for Taras Bulba by Nikolai Gogol. His illustrations established one of the most influential visual representations of Cossacks in 20th-century Soviet and Ukrainian graphics.

Deregus also painted portraits, generalized images of Cossacks, scenes of everyday life, and episodes of historical events.

Having worked during the Soviet period, the artist’s Cossack themes developed within the limits outlined by the regime. Nevertheless, his work became one of the most influential artistic interpretations of the Cossack theme in Ukrainian Soviet art.

His works are still used to illustrate publications about the history of Zaporozhzhia, and his style has become part of the visual tradition.

Illustrations:

1. Mykhailo Deregus.

2. Illustration for the Ukrainian People’s Duma: “Duma about the Cossack Golota.” M. Deregus. 1978. Paper, etching.

3. “Cossack Golota.” M. Deregus. 1984. Paper, color etching

4. “Cossack.” M. Deregus. 1977. Canvas, oil

5. Cossack.” M. Deregus. 1970s, paper, color etching

6. Coin of the National Bank of Ukraine featuring M. Deregus

URL:https://uahistory.com/topics/famous_people/18342