In A Sprig of Red Currants, Yaroslav Ponomarenko distils the essence of classical still life into a composition of remarkable elegance and restraint. Suspended by a fine thread against a deep blue green background, the delicate cluster of translucent currants appears to hover weightlessly, inviting the viewer into a moment of quiet observation. Each berry is rendered with extraordinary precision, revealing subtle variations of crimson, ruby and amber as light filters through their delicate skins. The broad green leaves frame the fruit with natural balance, while the slender stem and curling tendrils introduce a gentle rhythm that enhances the painting's sense of movement and fragility. Drawing inspiration from the great traditions of European still life, Ponomarenko replaces abundance with simplicity. The isolated branch becomes an intimate portrait of nature itself, where texture, colour and light carry the entire narrative. The result is both contemporary and timeless, celebrating the overlooked beauty of an everyday botanical subject. Executed with exceptional technical refinement, the work demonstrates the artist's mastery of realism while maintaining a distinctly modern sensibility through its minimal composition and atmospheric use of negative space. Oil on panel. 24 x 18 cm. 2026. Signed by the artist on the reverse. ⸻ Yaroslav Ponomarenko (b. 1982, Kharkiv, Ukraine) is a contemporary painter whose practice is grounded in the technical discipline and visual language of European Old Master traditions. Trained at the Kharkiv Art Lyceum and later at the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture in Kyiv, Ponomarenko developed a rigorous approach to drawing, composition, and pictorial structure. His work reflects an ongoing engagement with historical methods, informed by extended study of classical painting techniques and the material processes of European schools. Working primarily within still life and symbolic composition, he focuses on the precise observation of natural forms, often isolating modest subjects and rendering them with a heightened sense of clarity and restraint. Light and tonal construction play a central role in his practice, allowing objects to emerge gradually from subdued atmospheric grounds. Alongside his studio work, Ponomarenko has been active as an educator, contributing to the transmission of classical techniques through structured teaching and research. This dual engagement with practice and pedagogy informs a body of work that is both technically exacting and conceptually measured. His paintings situate themselves within a contemporary revival of classical realism, where historical continuity is approached not as imitation, but as a disciplined and evolving language. Yaroslav Ponomarenko is represented by Havisham & Co., where his paintings are introduced to collectors through curated sales and selected auction placements. ⸻ Havisham & Co. Havisham & Co. is a London-based fine art agency representing contemporary artists whose work engages with heritage, symbolism, and classical craftsmanship. The agency facilitates the placement of original artworks through curated sales, private transactions, and selected international auction platforms. Instagram: @havishamco Website: www.havishamco.com Email: info@havishamco.com International shipments may be subject to customs duties and import taxes, which are determined by local authorities and are the responsibility of the buyer.