Reconstruction of the First Fine-ceramic Sculptural Image of «Ukrainka» as a Project by S. Voronov's «Miklashevsky Historic Porcelain Factory»

The purpose of the article. The aim of the work is to analyze the sculptural image of “Ukrainka” in the 1850s made at the Volokytyne factory and its “replicas” in the contemporary works of Alis-K company. The research methodology was based on a set of principles, approaches and methods. The principle of scientific objectivity, culturological and art history analysis and the comparative method were used for drawing historical comparative parallels with the development of porcelain production in the 19th century in Europe; the historical and cultural method allowed for showing the symbolic image of the statuette of ”Ukrainka” and its painting; the method of art history analysis was employed for understanding the specifics of shaping and decoration at the Volokytyne porcelain factory and the production of the Alis-K company. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the introduction into scientific circulation of a comprehensive scientific analysis of the figurative component of «Ukrainka» produced by the Miklashevsky fine ceramics factory and its modern replicas, as well as in attempts to interpret the ideological content of the designated works. Conclusions. The appearance in Ukrainian «white gold» of the sculpture of small forms of «Ukrainka» in national clothes dates back to around 1850. This statuette was made according to the old classical techniques of hand-molding with plastic elements of dolepolving at the Volokytyne porcelain factory. Nowadays there are 9 figures of “Ukrainka” in 6 variants of coloring. The paint job was made by local craftsmen from Chernihiv and Sumy regions and later became a standard for many other domestic manufactures of fine ceramics. This sculpture became a symbolic composite image of representatives of our people, through which one could learn our national identity in European porcelain and in general in the world. The artifact was molded from life. The prototype was a local beauty, Palazhka, a Ukrainian serf from the village of Volokytyne. 160–170 years later, S. Voronov’s “Alis-K” returned to the immortalized theme of the first “chirping bark”. Replicas and reconstructions of the historic “Ukrainka” were transformed into a smaller format – 22.7 was made into less than 15 cm (the so-called art miniature). The artists of the designated institution offered both reflexions and updated versions of the paint job, which echo with the pair objects of art sets – decorative collectible thimbles of increased size, decorated in the traditions of the style of Volokitino in the mid-nineteenth century.