Dmytro Hunts, a Ukrainian artist, is celebrated for his evocative depictions of cities and towns, primarily utilizing dry pastel on paper as his medium. Around nine years ago, having mastered this intricate technique—as well as working with oil and watercolor—he turned his attention to painting lively scenes inspired directly by his experiences outdoors. His travels have resulted in landscapes of varied places: Crimea (prior to its occupation), Amsterdam, Paris, London, and several cities across Bulgaria, Spain, and Sweden. Since making Lithuania his home in 2022, Hunts has concentrated on portraying Vilnius and other towns and villages across the country.
As a member of the Union of Ukrainian Artists, Hunts received scholarships in both 2022 and 2023 from the Lithuanian Culture Council, which supports Ukrainian artists seeking refuge in Lithuania. He is widely respected for his rigorous plein air approach, relying exclusively on observation from life—a practice that gives his art a striking vitality. His city scenes stand out for their expressiveness and variety, depicting diverse weather and lighting: sunlit avenues, rain-soaked streets, and fluctuating shadows. Throughout these works, he maintains faithful representations of architectural landmarks such as churches, palaces, and residences. Random figures passing through the scenes add a dynamic sense of time and liveliness.
Born in 1958 in Lviv, Ukraine, Dmytro Hunts attended the Lviv State Institute of Applied and Decorative Arts from 1980 to 1986. In 2005, he became a member of the Union of Artists of Ukraine, and from 2007 to 2010, he served as chairman of the section for painters in Lviv. His artistic achievements include a silver medal at the Archipos Kuindis painting competition held in Mariupol in 2007, and, in 2008, he received a Letter of Honor from the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture in recognition of his contributions to youth and student festivals in Lviv.
Hunts has presented his work in many major solo exhibitions. Notable examples include "From West to East" at the Lviv Palace of Arts (2018), "Paintings, Pastel" at Art 13 Gallery in Lviv (2013), and, together with Igor Zavozin, "Fern Flower" at the Lviv Chamber of Artists (2012). In recent years, his exhibitions have increasingly reflected his involvement with Lithuanian culture—for instance, "Lithuanian Motifs" at both the Molėtai art gallery and Antakalnis Gallery in Vilnius (2022, 2023), and "Urbanist Landscape" at the LDS project space in Vilnius (2023). By participating in plein air gatherings such as "Alaušo Pleneras" in Sudeikiai, Hunts continues to emphasize his commitment to painting directly from life.
About this artwork+
The painting captures a vibrant, colorful view of a bustling town scene, possibly set in the late afternoon given the warm hues that wash over the buildings and pavement. In the background, a prominent church with a red tower roof and a white facade stands elegantly, surrounded by bits of greenery and a duo of imposing yet bare trees, hinting at either the approach of spring or the tail end of autumn. The foreground shows a cobbled street lined with historic, well-kept European buildings with noticeable architectural details such as large windows and sculpted facades. Several people are depicted going about their day; some are walking in pairs, engaged in conversation, while others stroll alone, each figure rendered in loose, expressive strokes that suggest movement and a snippet of daily life without delving into precise details. This style gives a sense of liveliness and a fleeting moment captured in time. The sky, infused with strokes of blue, pink, and a touch of yellow, adds a dramatic and somewhat whimsical canopy to the scene, complementing the vivid colors used throughout the painting. The entire setting conveys a lively yet peaceful day in a charming European town.
