Yaroslav Ponomarenko (1982) - Pears in Warm Light

Pears in Warm Light presents two ripe pears resting together on a cool stone surface, illuminated by a restrained, directional light. The fruit emerges gradually from the deep surrounding darkness, its green, ochre and russet tones revealing the subtle variations of colour and texture across the skin.

Ponomarenko approaches the still life with remarkable attention to observation. The softly modelled fruit, delicate leaves and carefully rendered stems are set against an almost black ground, creating a quiet sense of intimacy and concentration. The warmth of the pears contrasts with the cooler stone beneath them, while the subdued palette gives the composition a timeless quality.

There is a particular stillness to the work. Rather than presenting fruit as an elaborate arrangement, Ponomarenko reduces the composition to a few essential elements, allowing light, colour and form to carry the image. The result is a contemplative still life in which an ordinary moment becomes quietly atmospheric.

Signed by the artist on the reverse.


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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.

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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
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