Taras Shevchenko and Ira Aldridge by Heorhiy Melikhov, 1963
Famous Ukrainian poet and artist Taras Shevchenko befriended the African-American Shakespearean actor Ira Aldridge, while the latter was on tour to the Russian Empire in 1858. Shevchenko did his portrait in pastel. It is recounted that the two men got along very well. While posing for the portrait, Aldridge sang African-American songs to Shevchenko and in return, the artist taught him Ukrainian songs.
The portrait in question:
Portrait of Ira Aldridge by Taras Shevchenko, 1858. Pastel on paper.
