Perhaps, one of the last Russian Impressionists: Andrei Gulyi. Born in Kiev, Ukraine, in 1964; son of a family of scientists. There was one exception, his uncle, a painter. It was he, who gave the first lectures to “little” Andrei. The talent then led to the studio of a famous painter: Valeri Chuikov.

Following the years of apprenticeship there were years of study at the Academy of Polygraphics in Lemberg. Additional studies followed at the Academy of Fine Arts in Odessa, where he attained his qualifications to teach. His drive to find and capture new impressions brought him around a good part of the globe. This, of course, how could it be otherwise, reflected in his expression and choice of colours. Since 1993 Andrei Gulyi works from his studio in Vienna. He exhibited in Munich, London, Frankfurt a. M., Brazil, Luxembourg and Vienna.

It was from his masters that he inherited the basic features of Russian Impressionism: the strong and vivid colours, often the characteristic melancholy of the Ukraine. However, always expressing his impressions with a powerful brush stroke in a colour composition which is the unique handwriting of the impressionists.

His paintings appear fresh, spontaneous, and yet he follows the traditional technique; they seem to be painted in one go. A master no less. His works often builds a bridge to the traditions of Russian Impressionism, created by such famous artists as Konstan­tin Korovin (1861-1939), Isaac Levitan (1860-1900) and Igor Grabar (1871-1960). He follows them with masterly skill.

His paintings have their admirers and collectors around the world.

Theodor Brinek