Essentially, Bohomazov's long and tortuous courtship of Wanda reflected his own
struggle for his inner artistic voice. Having successfully wooed and married her,
he set off on his own path, confident in his ability.
The early portraits of Wanda, for example the refined pointillist portrait, show the
subject looking away from the artist, not engaging with him. This was typical for
the time but, by New Year 1911-12, Wanda is looking at Bohomazov, albeit
suspiciously, denoting a thaw in their relationship.
They were married in August 1913. ' The bonds of beauty have connected our
souls. The mystery of spiritual marriage has been made by the twinkling stars in
their transparent depths. In some magical way, Fate has tied the knot of my
existence to this subtle, exquisite, good, sensible girl', wrote the artist, who threw
Introduction
Wanda Monastyrska in Front of a New Year Tree, 1911
The artistic life of Oleksandr Bohomazov can be broken down into four distinct periods.
1908
to
1913
Courtship of fellow
student at the
Academy of Arts,
Wanda Monastyrska.
1913
to
1917
Marriage to Wanda
and period of
greatest creativity.
1917
to
1925
Period of almost
total silence.
Contracts tuberculosis
1925
to
1929
Final period of
intense work on the
unfinished Sawyers
triptych.
