Yaroslav Ponomarenko (1982) - Butterfly on an Apple
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Selected by Caterina Maffeis
Master in early Renaissance Italian painting with internship at Sotheby’s and 15 years' experience.
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Butterfly on an Apple, a 2026 oil painting on panel by Ukrainian artist Yaroslav Ponomarenko (b. 1982), in original edition, signed, in excellent condition, depicting a still life in a hyperrealist style, measuring 30 × 20 cm.
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Description from the seller
In Butterfly on an Apple, Yaroslav Ponomarenko merges the traditions of botanical still life and natural history into a composition that feels both timeless and quietly surreal. A vivid blue butterfly rests upon the stem of a ripe apple, transforming an ordinary fruit into a delicate encounter between permanence and ephemerality.
The restrained composition directs the eye toward the relationship between the two subjects. The rich crimson and golden tones of the apple are balanced by the luminous blues of the butterfly, while the deep green background enhances the painting's remarkable sense of depth and atmosphere. Every surface is rendered with exceptional precision, from the velvety texture of the butterfly's wings to the subtle sheen of the apple's skin and the crisp folds of its leaves.
The butterfly, a longstanding symbol of transformation and renewal, introduces a poetic narrative that elevates the work beyond traditional still life. Rather than depicting abundance, Ponomarenko invites the viewer to contemplate a fleeting moment where nature appears suspended in perfect equilibrium.
Executed with extraordinary technical mastery, Butterfly on an Apple is a refined contemporary still life that honours classical realism while embracing a minimalist visual language.
Oil on panel.
30 × 20 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.
Seller's Story
Havisham & Co. was founded on the belief that contemporary art can still carry a sense of heritage. Working from London, we collaborate closely with a small group of artists whose practices are informed by classical balance, symbolism, and material depth. Havisham & Co. was founded on the belief that contemporary art can still carry a sense of heritage. Working from London, we collaborate closely with a small group of artists whose practices are informed by classical balance, symbolism, and material depth.
Instagram: havishamco
In Butterfly on an Apple, Yaroslav Ponomarenko merges the traditions of botanical still life and natural history into a composition that feels both timeless and quietly surreal. A vivid blue butterfly rests upon the stem of a ripe apple, transforming an ordinary fruit into a delicate encounter between permanence and ephemerality.
The restrained composition directs the eye toward the relationship between the two subjects. The rich crimson and golden tones of the apple are balanced by the luminous blues of the butterfly, while the deep green background enhances the painting's remarkable sense of depth and atmosphere. Every surface is rendered with exceptional precision, from the velvety texture of the butterfly's wings to the subtle sheen of the apple's skin and the crisp folds of its leaves.
The butterfly, a longstanding symbol of transformation and renewal, introduces a poetic narrative that elevates the work beyond traditional still life. Rather than depicting abundance, Ponomarenko invites the viewer to contemplate a fleeting moment where nature appears suspended in perfect equilibrium.
Executed with extraordinary technical mastery, Butterfly on an Apple is a refined contemporary still life that honours classical realism while embracing a minimalist visual language.
Oil on panel.
30 × 20 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.
Seller's Story
Havisham & Co. was founded on the belief that contemporary art can still carry a sense of heritage. Working from London, we collaborate closely with a small group of artists whose practices are informed by classical balance, symbolism, and material depth. Havisham & Co. was founded on the belief that contemporary art can still carry a sense of heritage. Working from London, we collaborate closely with a small group of artists whose practices are informed by classical balance, symbolism, and material depth.
Instagram: havishamco
Details
Artist
Yaroslav Ponomarenko (1982)
Sold with frame
No
Sold by
Agent
Edition
Original
Title of artwork
Butterfly on an Apple
Technique
Oil painting
Signature
Signed
Country of origin
Ukraine
Year
2026
Condition
Excellent condition
Height
30 cm
Width
20 cm
Depiction/theme
Still life
Style
Hyperrealism
Period
2020+
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