Taras Hryhorovych

Shevchenko
Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko, the great Ukrainian poet, writer, artist, and
public and political figure, was born on March 9, 1814, in the village of
Moryntsi, Kyiv gubernia, in the Russian Empire (today Ukraine).
Early Life and Influences

1 Family Background
His parents, Kateryna and Hryhoriy, were serfs on the land of Vasiliy Engelhardt.

2 Grandfather's Influence
His grandfather, who had witnessed peasant uprisings, had a significant influence on the young
boy.

3 Artistic Talent
At fourteen, he became a domestic servant to Pavlo Engelhardt and was already showing a talent
for drawing.
Artistic Development
Release from Serfdom Imperial Academy of Arts Recognition

Prominent members of the His talent as an artist was

intelligentsia arranged to buy He was accepted into the recognized, and he was awarded
him out of serfdom. Imperial Academy of Arts as an the Silver Medal for his
external student, practicing in artworks.
the workshop of Karl Bryullov.
Literary Contributions
1 Early Works 2 Notable Publications
He began to write poetry even before The world first saw Kobzar, his first
being freed from serfdom. collection of poetry, in 1840.

3 Political Satire
He was influenced by the works of the Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz, especially in his
political satire.
Political Involvement
Opposition Grows
As his opposition to the social and national oppression of the Ukrainian people grew, tsarist censors
deleted many lines of his poetry.

Arrest and Exile

He was arrested and later exiled as a private with a ban on writing and painting.

Return from Exile

It was not until 1857 that he finally returned from exile, thanks to the efforts of friends.
Artistic Legacy
Engraving Innovator
He devoted his greatest attention to engraving,
becoming a true innovator in this field.
Champions of Freedom
He created a gallery of images – Champions of
Sacred Freedom – of fighters against oppression
and tyranny.
Final Years
1 Health Concerns
He began to feel increasingly ill, and complained in letters about the state
of his health.

2 Death
He died in his St. Petersburg apartment at 5:30 a.m. on March 10, 1861.
Legacy and Burial
Initial Burial
The poet was first buried at the Smolensk Cemetery in St. Petersburg.

Transfer to Ukraine
His friends undertook to fulfill his wish expressed in Zapovit (Testament) and bury
him in Ukraine.

Final Resting Place

He was buried on Chernecha Hill (now Taras Hill) by the Dnipro River, which has
become a sacred site for the Ukrainian people.
Historical Significance

1 Cultural Icon 2 National Symbol

Shevchenko's remains entered Kyiv on the A tall mound was erected over his grave, and it
evening of May 18, 1861, and on May 20 they has become a sacred site for the Ukrainian
were transferred to the steamship Kremenchuk. people.
Remembering Shevchenko
1 Recognition
Speeches were delivered in Ukrainian, Russian, and Polish over his coffin at the
Academy of Arts.

2 Memorialization
His friends undertook to fulfill his wish expressed in Zapovit (Testament) and bury
him in Ukraine.