Oil painting Impregnable fortress Oleksandr Gukalov

№AAA3251

The painting "Impregnable Fortress" is an evocative and bold oil on canvas piece that vividly portrays the grandeur and resilience of an ancient stronghold. The artist utilizes a rich and contrasting color palette, dominated by earthy browns, deep greens, and varying shades of blue and gray. The technique involves heavy, textured brushstrokes that give the fortress and its surroundings a tangible, almost sculptural quality. The use of chiaroscuro—strong contrasts between light and dark—emphasizes the solid, imposing nature of the fortress. The composition centers around the towering fortress, which occupies a significant portion of the canvas. The strong vertical lines of the fortress's walls and tower create a sense of height and dominance. The entrance gate, dark and foreboding, draws the viewer's eye and evokes curiosity about what lies within. The fortress itself is depicted with a sense of age and weathering. The walls are rendered in shades of brown and ochre, with patches of green suggesting moss or vines, indicative of its long-standing history and the elements it has withstood. The tower, with its crenelated top, stands out against the sky, symbolizing strength and watchfulness. The sky in the background is a tumultuous blend of grays and blues, with patches of lighter hues suggesting a break in the clouds or an approaching storm. This dramatic sky enhances the mood of the painting, suggesting that the fortress is not only a physical barrier but also a guardian against the forces of nature. The lighter patches in the sky provide a subtle contrast, hinting at the possibility of hope or tranquility beyond the storm. The pathway leading to the fortress is depicted with cooler tones of gray and blue, guiding the viewer’s eye toward the entrance. The surrounding greenery, painted in deep, dark greens, frames the fortress and adds to the sense of isolation and defense. The overall mood of the painting is one of awe and respect for the enduring strength of the fortress. It evokes a sense of mystery and history, making the viewer ponder the stories and battles this structure has witnessed over the centuries. The interplay of light and shadow, combined with the robust, textured brushwork, creates a powerful image of an "Impregnable Fortress" standing resolute against time and nature. This painting beautifully captures the essence of a medieval fortress, embodying both its architectural magnificence and its role as a stalwart protector.

*** ABOUT THIS PAINTING ***
* TITLE: "Impregnable fortress"
* ARTISTS: Oleksandr Gukalov
* SIZE: 40x60 cm/'15.74x23.62 inches'
* MEDIUM: oil, canvas
* HAND PAINTED: Original painting from our collection
* CONDITION: we tried to convey the maximum information with the help of photos about this product

About the artists: Oleksiyander Gukalov
After graduating from Lviv Polytechnic, he was engaged in scientific work. In his free time, he studied the works of Plato, the poetry of the ancient East, and religious works. At this time, resistance to the routine of life and utilitarian science arose in him; he became interested in man and his secrets. Oleksiyander decided to end his engineering career and become a humanitarian. Since 1990, he began to write and publish philosophical poems. Later he decided to devote himself to painting, a passion for which began during his years of study at the Lviv Polytechnic with caricatures and caricatures of classmates and teachers.

Since 2017 he has been painting with oil paints. Oleksiyander does not have a formal art education, but he is convinced that the craft and talent of an artist do not directly depend on professional education. The artist's works are characterized by completeness of composition and depth of meaning. He is not afraid to work with different themes, his paintings are true modern art that touches people. The artist’s portfolio includes landscapes and views of his favorite cities, portraits of pop stars, politicians, athletes, relatives, and animals. “I draw a toga when I feel the need for it. Therefore, I cannot say that I work in some narrow direction. Rather, it is a call from the soul,” the artist says about himself.

Exhibitions

2011 – Personal exhibition, Lutsk

2011 – Exhibition “World of Jazz”, Lutsk

2011 – Exhibition Arts.in.ua, Kiev

2012 – Personal exhibition in the art cafe “Apartment 35”, Lviv

2012 – Personal exhibition “On the Waves of Dreams”, Lutsk

2012 – International exhibition “Plain Air”, West Park Art Gallery, New York

2012 – International competition “Peace, Time and People”, special medal of achievements St. Michael, New York

2012 – Exhibition of artists who were included in the K-Gallery catalogue, Kyiv

2012 – International exhibition-competition of contemporary art “Ukrainian Art Week”, Kyiv

2013 – opening of a permanent exhibition and sale, Lutsk

2013 – Exhibition “Spring Impressions” of the international art project “Vicious Circle of Impressions”, Kiev

2015 – Personal exhibition, Lutsk

2015 – Ukrainian-Italian exhibition “Single Space”, Kyiv

2015 – International art project “New York – Tokyo”, Tokyo

2016 – International art project “Color in Motion”, New York Realism Gallery, first place and Gold medal in the category “Impressionism”, New York

2021 – International exhibition “Art Nest Paris”, Paris