Vasyl Illich Kasiian (1896 – 1976): The Voice of Ukrainian Socialist Realism Vasyl Illich Kasiian was a pivotal figure in Soviet and Ukrainian art, recognized for his unwavering dedication to portraying the spirit of socialist construction through vivid imagery and masterful technique. Born on January 1, 1896, in Mykhlynți (now Mukolyntsi), Ukraine – then part of Austro-Hungarian Galicia – Kasiian’s artistic journey began amidst the t…