IMAGES OF UKRAINE IN THE WORK OF ABRAHAM VON WESTERFELD

Abstract

The article examines the work of Abraham von Westerfeld, and the features of the depiction of Ukraine in his works created during the events of 1651. The work is based on historicism and is comprehensive. It also uses a comparison of visual and written sources, therefore it is more representative of the material. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that Westerfeld’s works are considered not only as an example of historical events, but also as a whole event that shaped the image of Ukraine in Europe. The practical significance of the work lies in the fact that its materials can be used in education (in particular, in history and art courses, as well as for the preparation of lectures or exhibitions). Thus, Westerfeld’s works help us understand not only the events of the 17th century, but also how historical memory is shaped by art. Thus, the work of Abraham Westerfeld is an important source for studying the history of Ukraine during the Cossack era. His works combine high artistic skill with documentary accuracy and help modern researchers to better understand the events of the mid-17th century. Thanks to Westerfeld’s drawings, it is possible to study in more detail the military life, culture, architecture and everyday life of the Ukrainian lands during the National Liberation War led by Bohdan Khmelnytsky.