The Onions

The Onions by Yevdokym Voloshynov is part of the collection of the Nykanor Onatskyi Regional Art Museum in Sumy. 

The Onions (early 1900s) is one of the finest examples of refined academic still life. The painting features a basket overflowing with onions, surrounded by additional ones scattered across the surface. 

Depicting a large number of identical objects on a fairly large canvas is a challenging task for any artist, yet Voloshynov handles it brilliantly. Each of his works is a vivid testament to how skillfully he sensed the trends of his time, which significantly influenced the thematic range of his creations. The uniqueness of his talent was fully revealed in his still lifes, where he depicted common vegetables and fruits. Through his work, he demonstrated that still life paintings could be as worthy of attention as other genres.

The artwork is a striking example of the Realism style. The artist's primary technique involved the use of oil on canvas. The sizes of the work are 110.5cm x 88.7cm. The Onions’ history traces back to 1910.

The artist employs a dark, subdued background to emphasize the natural colors of the onions and basket. Through precise drawing and masterful application of fine glazes, the ordinary vegetables are showcased against the dark, neutral backdrop to highlight their rhythmic and plastic richness. Their copper-golden sheen gleams like ingots of precious metal. The dramatic chiaroscuro lighting enhances the textures and curves of the vegetables and basket while leaving the background in shadow.

The painting evokes a sense of quiet elegance and reverence for the everyday. By transforming a mundane subject into something luminous and almost precious, the artist invites viewers to reflect on the beauty found in simplicity. The mood is contemplative and serene, encouraging the viewer to pause and appreciate the overlooked details of everyday life.

Yevdokym Voloshynov was one of the most prominent masters of academic still-life painting. The artist created more than 400 works, including “The Watermelons and the Grapes” (1890s), “The Pumpkins” (1880), “The Moonlight Night” (1890s), and many more. Immerse yourself into The Onions’ meaning, explore more works, and purchase these masterpieces on the UFDA website.