Mykola Pymonenko was a renowned artist, a master of genre painting, and the creator of many works on rural and urban themes.

The artist was born in Kyiv in 1862 to a family of icon painters. He studied at the Kyiv Drawing School, headed by Mykola Murashko, where he later worked as an instructor. In 1882, Pymonenko entered the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, but in 1884, he left his studies there due to health issues and financial hardship.

In the 1890s, he participated in the decoration of the St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral in Kyiv. 

He exhibited his works at international art shows in Paris, Berlin, Munich, and London. At the 1906 exhibition in Munich, his painting was given one of the most honored places, and he was recognized as an official member of the Munich Artists' Society. In 1909, his painting “Hopak” was acquired by the Louvre, and he was made an official member of the French “International Society of Artists.”

Mykola Pymonenko is celebrated as a master of genre painting. The themes and plots of his work are simple, everyday scenes, yet deeply moving and impactful. The artist focused on depicting labor, customs, and daily life of peasants (weddings, encounters, returns from work, etc.). He created a lyrical image of Ukraine with its enchanting landscapes and joyful people. He found his characters in neighboring houses and lively marketplaces.

He passed away in Kyiv in 1912 from liver disease. A posthumous exhibition at the Academy of Arts in early 1913 displayed 184 paintings, 419 studies, and 112 pencil drawings. In total, Pymonenko’s artistic legacy includes over 1,000 works.