Polonica in Ukrainian printed poster of 20th centuryfrom collection of Department of Fine Arts of Institute of Book Studiesof V. I. Vernadskyi National Library of Ukraine

Abstract

The goal of the research. Representing of information potential of the 20th century Ukrainian posters from the fonds of the Department of Fine Arts of the Institute of Book Studies of the V. I. Vernadskyi National Library of Ukraine as an important visual source for the study of the Polish-Ukrainian relations in the 1920s – 1980s. Methodology. The use of the comparative historical method made it possible to identify common and different traits in the informative and aesthetic properties of posters created in Ukraine during different periods, including works of individual artists. Methods of iconographic and stylistic analysis were applied to accurately attribute some items. Scientific novelty: the first attempt to identify and chronologically systematize Polish-related themes in the Department of Fine Arts of the Institute of Book Studies of the V. I. Vernadskyi National Library of Ukraine (based on the posters’ confirmed availability in the collection). Conclusions. Polish theme in the 20th century’s Ukrainian posters was driven by specific historical and cultural factors, namely, by 1919–1921 Polish-Soviet war, the nativisation policy in 1920–1930, accession of the Western Volhynia and Eastern Halychyna in 1939, as well as
by the cultural cooperation between the Warsaw Pact countries in the 1960s – 1980s. The author took a close look at the distinct features in the stylistic of posters, the originality of individual artists, specific political connotations, and the growing influence of the Polish posters starting late 1950s. The next step in our research study is a representation of the Polish theme in the Ukrainian cinema posters and materials related to the World War II period.