Vassyl Khmeluk

(3.07.1903 - 2.11.1986)

Vassyl Khmeluk was an Ukrainian painter.  Known for:  Still life painting, landscape, portrait.

He was born in Kiev, Ukraine in 1903. 

From the family of the financier. He graduated from gymnasium in Kiev. The Civil war in Ukraine as part of the UNR army; after the retreat moved to Poland. He studied at the Krakow Academy of fine arts (1921-1923)  V. Yarotsky then in Prague — Charles University (1926-1927) at the faculty of Philology and the Ukrainian Studio of plastic arts (1927-1928)S. Mako. Member of the Association of independent Ukrainian artists.

He moved to Paris in 1928. 

He met Ambroise Vollard, a great lover of his paintings, in 1935 and exhibited his work in his Rue Lafitte gallery.  Several exhibitions are dedicated to him in France and Europe.  His talent was quickly noticed and from 1943 until 1972, he exhibited in the galleries of Paul Durand-Ruel.

Landscape painter, Khmeluk is also a painter of flowers, still lifes and figures.  He was a leading figure of the School of Paris characterized by the expressionist movement.  His strong and vigorous pallet recalls the painting of Soutine. 

Numerous key galleries and museums such as Kunstmuseum Luzern have featured Vassyl Khmeluk's work in the past.Vassyl Khmeluk's work has been offered at auction multiple times, with realized prices ranging from 71 USD to 37,402 USD, depending on the size and medium of the artwork. Since 1998 the record price for this artist at auction is 37,402 USD for PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG GIRL, sold at Sotheby's London in 2009. Vassyl Khmeluk has been featured in articles for RUSSIAN ART + CULTURE and ArtDaily. The most recent article is The Russian Works of Art in Roseberys Upcoming Impressionist, Modern, Post War and Contemporary written for RUSSIAN ART + CULTURE in November 2020.