During the first years of its existence the professorship of the Ukrainian art academy founded in 1917 consisted mainly of artists-painters who had obtained education at the educational institutions of Russia and West Europe and possessed well methods of teaching. In 1920, for example, such people were chosen to teach at the academy: F.Krychevsky as a professor of portrait, V.Krychevsky as a professor of composition, M.Boychuk as a professor of monumental painting, M.Burachek as a professor of landscape, L.Kramarenko as a professor of painting. A little later L.Kramarenko stood at the head of the monumental painting studio (in parallel with M.Boychuk's studio) and A.Manevych the other studio of landscape. In the course of time O.Murashko became the head of the easel-painting studio.
     By 1928 the educational process at the faculty of painting of the Kyiv art institute (the academy took this name in 1924) was led by M.Boychuk, M.Bershtein, P.Golubiatnykov, K.Yeleva, M.Kozyk, L.Kramarenko, F.Krychevsky, V.Palmov, M.Petrov, A.Taran, K.Trokhymenko, M.Tryaskin. Having been reorganised the institute in 1934, F.Krychevsky became the head of the easel painting studio, P.Kotov and P.Volodykin - of the battle painting studio, O.Shovkunenko substituted P.Volodykin in 1936. Painters S.Grygoriev, V.Denysov, V.Kostetsky, O.Fomin, O.Cherkasky, I.Shtilman, I.Shulga also taught at the chair of painting besides the above mentioned leaders of the studios. In 1938 a studio of mosaics appeared at the institute with A.Taran (M.Boychuk's apprentice) at the head. In 1944 K.Trokhymenko took the leadership over the studio of historical battle painting and O.Shovkunenko - over the studio of portrait and easel painting.
     The graduates from the institute V.Budnykov, S.Grosh, V.Zabashta, K.Zaruba, L.Koshtelianchuk, I.Krasny, A.Plamenytsky, V.Puzyrkov, I.Tykhy, M.Khmelko, T.Yablonska replenished the body of the chair in the post-war period. People's artist of the USSR V.Puzyrkov led the studio of easel painting after professor O.Shovkunenko in 1956-1999.
     The studio of monumental-decorative painting was resumed in 1966. People's artists of Ukraine, professors T.Yablonska and V.Chekanyuk carried it. O.Kozhekov has been at the head of the studio since 2000. The studio of landscape painting was also resumed (head - people's artist of Ukraine, professor V.I.Zabashta) and the new ones of easel painting (with professors V.Gurin and M.Guyda at the head), of historical painting (professor F.Gumeniuk), monumental cathedral painting (professor M.A.Storozhenko) were organised in 1993. Artists of cinema stage design (leader of the studio - senior lecturer R.Adamovych ) have been trained at the theatre-decorative department since 1997 besides artists of the theatre (with readers A.Kyrychenko and O.Burlin at the head of the studios).
     Professors, K.Trokhymenko, M.Khmelko, V.Puzyrkov stood at the head of the chair in different times. The academician, people's artist of Ukraine, professor V.Gurin has been leading the chair since 1989. In September 1996 the chairs of painting and composition were amalgamated into the single chair of painting and composition with professor V.Gurin at the head.
     During the time of its existence the chair has brought up many famous artists due to the staff of professors and teachers highly experienced in pedagogical and creative work. Experienced artists-educational specialists like professors V.Barynova-Kuleba, O.Basanets, V.Vyrodova-Gotie, L.Vitkovsky, T.Golembiyevska, M.Guyda, F.Gumeniuk, V.Gurin, V.Zabashta, O.Kozhekov, D.Lider, O.Lopukhov, M.Storozhenko, V.Shatalin; readers V.Budnykov, O.Ivakhnenko, A.Kyrychenko, I.Kovtoniuk, O.Sheremet, G.Yagodkin, A.Yalansky, senior lecturers R.Adamovych, O.Vasyliev, V.Denbnovetska, N.Zozulya, A.Zorko, V.Nedayborsch, I.Pylypenko, O.Solovey, M.Sochenko, V.Chervatiuk, O.Yasenev; lecturers I.Melnychuk, A.Tsoi are working now at the chair.
     The chair of painting and composition provides all structural subdivisions of the faculties of fine art and architecture with knowledge on painting, and the branches of painting and theatre-decorative painting with skills on composition. Scientific-methodical and creative work is also being carried out at the chair in accordance with the developed and adopted plans.
     The training of specialists in easel and monumental painting; artists of theatre, cinema and television films on specialisations: artist-painter, researcher, lecturer; artist in monumental painting, researcher, lecturer; artist of theatre, cinema and television films, researcher, lecturer.
     Professors T.Golembiyevska, M.Guyda, F.Gumeniuk, V.Gurin, O.Kozhekov, D.Lider, O.Lopukhov, M.Storozhenko, V.Shatalin lead assistant-probationers. Some of them take part in the educational process. Thus O.Solovey, M.Sochenko, O.Yasenev were invited to work at the chair as senior lecturers, I.Melnychuk and A.Tsoi as lecturers.
     The chair of painting and composition keeps and creatively develops the best traditions of the academy taking into account contemporary demands to the higher art school.