Looted Paintings by Arkhip Kuindzhi from Mariupol Museum

Arkhip Kuindzhi. Elbrus. Moonlit Night. 1895

During the Russian occupation of Mariupol in 2022, three original paintings by the renowned Ukrainian landscape painter Arkhip Kuindzhi were looted from the Kuindzhi Art Museum.

Each painting exemplifies Kuindzhi’s unique manipulation of light and color, particularly his experimental use of luminance and atmospheric effects. “Red Sunset” is a striking example of his chromatic intensity, while “Elbrus” reflects his fascination with vast natural forms and the sublime. These works, though compact in format, are key to understanding Kuindzhi’s late period.

The theft of these paintings is not only a cultural loss for Ukraine but also a violation of international conventions protecting heritage in conflict zones. Their current whereabouts remain unknown.