Photo's of Easter Pysanky: Decorated Eggs of Europe
Egg painting is known throughout most of Europe, where decorating eggs can be traced back at least 3,000 years. This ancient art form (commonly called pysanky, from the Ukrainian verb to write) uses egg shells, beeswax, and water-soluble dyes to create masterpieces in miniature. The wax-resist process is a complicated version of the method used by children to dye eggs at Easter time. Approximately half of the painted eggs will be traditional pysanky and half will be elegant contemporary style painted eggs, hanging from luxurious ribbons.
Painted eggs were often given as gifts at births, engagements, weddings, in time of sickness and when wishing someone well. Following the introduction of Christianity to the Slavonic people, the eggs became associated with Easter.
The traditional pysanky on display were created by the late Anna Veremeychik of Melbourne; also included are pysanky by Veremeychik’s children and grandchildren. The European painted eggs are from the collection of Michael J. and Aimee Rusinko Kakos of Winter Park.
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