Ukrainian Baroque

Ukrainian Baroque or Cossack Baroque or Mazepa Baroque is an architectural style that was widespread in the Ukrainian lands in the 17th- and 18th- centuries. It was the result of a combination of local architectural traditions and European Baroque.

The St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kiev represents one of the most typical examples of Ukrainian Baroque architecture.

Ukrainian Baroque is distinct from the Western European Baroque in having more moderate ornamentation and simpler forms, and as such was considered more constructivist. Many Ukrainian Baroque buildings have been preserved, including several buildings in Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and the Vydubychi Monastery in Kiev.

The best examples of Baroque painting are the church paintings in the Holy Trinity Church of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Rapid development in engraving techniques occurred during the Ukrainian Baroque period. Advances utilized a complex system of symbolism, allegories, heraldic signs, and sumptuous ornamentation.

Ukrainan Baroque sculptor Johann Georg Pinsel, who was active during the mid-18th century in Galicia, was the subject of a special 2012–13 exhibition at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Pinsel, who demonstrated a unique, masterful expressiveness of form and a highly personal characterization of drapery is now recognized as a leading figure in European Baroque sculpture.[1]

Certain features of the Ukrainian Baroque influenced the Naryshkin Baroque movement in 17th-18th century in Moscow.[2][3]Modern Ukrainian church buildings, such as Troeshchina Cathedral, are also built in this style, but it is not typical for Ukrainian Baroque. Originating in the 17th century, Ukrainian Baroque reached its golden age in the time of Cossack Hetman Ivan Mazepa. Mazepa Baroque is original synthesis of West-European Baroque architectural forms and Ukrainian national Baroque architectural traditions.