Mikhail Dmitrievich Alatarcev’s The Feat (1960s) captures civilian resistance during World War II with emotional intensity. War scenes—especially those from the Great Patriotic War—were central to Soviet art, and this painting highlights the heroism of ordinary people while reflecting the trauma that shaped Soviet postwar identity.
The composition is driven by sharp diagonals and twisted bodies, creating a sense of chaos and movement. At the center, a Nazi soldier is overpowered by civilians, his position at the bottom of the frame signaling defeat and the triumph of justice.
Alatarcev’s bold, urgent brushwork adds emotional weight and breaks from the controlled aesthetic of Socialist Realism. His style leans toward expressionism, focusing less on idealised heroics and more on the personal, human experience of war.
Colour is key to the painting’s impact. The warm reds and yellows of the civilians’ clothing stand out against the cooler background, heightening the tension. The faces, roughly defined and abstracted, don’t point to specific individuals—they convey universal emotions: fear, anger, desperation. The result is a work that feels both rooted in Ukrainian experience and broadly relatable.
Born in 1947 in Ukraine, Alatarcev is best known for his landscape paintings and his deep connection to nature, often explored through plein air work. He began his training in Yenakiieve under I. Grinenko and later studied at the Kharkiv State Art School and the Kharkiv Art and Industrial Institute.
A member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine since 1999, he has exhibited widely and earned recognition for his landscapes. His work is held in private collections across Ukraine and internationally.
