**Ukraine Wins Cultural Victory as Brooklyn Museum Corrects Artwork Label**
In a significant cultural victory for Ukraine, the Brooklyn Museum has changed the description of a painting by renowned artist Ilya Repin to reflect that the landscape depicted is Ukrainian, not Russian. According to art historian Oksana Semenik, this correction is a long-overdue recognition of Ukraine’s rich cultural heritage and a defeat for Russia’s attempts to erase or appropriate Ukrainian artists and symbols.
The updated label now replaces the word “Russia” with “Ukraine” for the painting formerly titled Winter Landscape – Russia. This change comes after nearly two years of communication between Semenik and the Brooklyn Museum, starting in 2023. According to Semenik, the canvas portrays Repin’s birth city of Chuhuiv in northeastern Ukraine (today’s Kharkiv Oblast), and Repin himself identified it as such in his writings.
**A Victory for Ukrainian Culture**
Semenik sees this correction as a significant victory for Ukrainian culture, which has long been subject to Russian attempts to erase or appropriate its heritage. “In fact, the issue was not only Repin’s nationality and identity, but also the fact that this painting is a landscape from Chuhuiv, and Repin himself wrote that it was Chuhuiv,” said Semenik. “But for some reason, this American museum listed the title as ‘Winter Landscape – Russia.'”
This change comes at a time when Ukraine has faced intense pressure from Russia to suppress its cultural identity since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. The Brooklyn Museum’s correction is a significant step towards recognizing and preserving Ukrainian culture.
**Repin’s Legacy**
Ilya Repin was one of the most prominent painters of the Russian Empire, known for his realistic and psychologically rich portraits, historical scenes, and depictions of everyday life. Despite being often labeled a Russian artist due to the imperial context of his time, Repin’s identity and work are closely tied to Ukraine.
Born in Chuhuiv, Repin was deeply influenced by Ukrainian culture and landscapes throughout his life. The correction of the painting label is a testament to Repin’s true cultural heritage and a recognition that Ukraine is more than just a part of Russia.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
