The Wedding Banquet of Cupid and Psyche
Raphael
In this fresco (1518–19), Raphael presents the divine banquet:on the left are Neptune, Persephone, Pluto, Juno, and Jupiter receiving a drink from Ganymede. On the right sit Psyche and Cupid, gazing at each other. In the foreground, Bacchus and a young satyr pour wine, highlighting the festive nature of Cupid’s immortal union with Psyche.
Grotesque Ceiling Decoration
Bonaccorsi Pietro (Perin del Vaga) and Rietti Domenico
This fresco (c. 16th c.) blends Renaissance whimsy with ancient Roman influence, reviving the grotesque style unearthed in Nero’s Domus Aurea. Figures with human and animal features balance symmetrical vines, mythical beasts, and theatrical masks. The composition celebrates harmony through fantasy, playfully bridging antiquity and imagination.
The Tree of Vowels
Giuseppe Penone
This monumental bronze sculpture (2000) shows a fallen oak with roots extending like veins across the ground. Installed in the Jardin des Tuileries, it demonstrates Penone’s exploration of the connection between humanity and nature. The work combines organic memory with sculptural permanence, inviting reflection on time, fragility, and the endurance of natural forms.
Loyalty from Los Disparates Series
Francisco Goya
This etching (1815–1823) by Francisco Goya, part of the Los Disparates series, explores themes of chaos and irrationality. Featuring grotesque figures, it suggests blind loyalty or foolishness, reflecting the turbulent era of Ferdinand VII’s reign in Spain. Goya’s use of aquatint and etching techniques enhances dramatic contrasts and textures, providing a dark commentary on the social and political upheavals of his time.
The Supper at Emmaus
Caravaggio
This painting (c.1606) was created after Caravaggio fled Rome for Naples. It depicts Christ revealing himself in Emmaus at the blessing of bread. Unlike Caravaggio’s earlier 1601 version, gestures are subdued and the table almost bare. In this darker vision, the recognition of the divine comes not in spectacle but in shadow and silence.
Cupid Pleads with Jupiter for Psyche
Raphael
In this fresco (1517–18), Raphael depicts the moment when Cupid petitions Jupiter for Psyche’s immortality. Jupiter’s intimate gesture suggests divine consent and compassion, while Cupid’s youthful vulnerability contrasts with the god’s authority. The work reflects Renaissance fascination with classical myths and divine love.
Lenin and the Workers (detail)
Diego Rivera
In this vivid section of Man, Controller of the Universe (1934), Lenin extends his hand to unite workers of different races and backgrounds. His central placement amid galaxies and scientific motifs reflects Rivera’s belief in a revolutionary, rational future led by socialist ideals and global class solidarity.
Mapiripana
Luis Alberto Acuña
Inspired by a myth from La Vorágine (a novel by José Eustasio Rivera), this 1950s painting depicts Mapiripana, a river spirit who guards silence and nature’s purity. When a missionary attempts to capture her, she punishes him by birthing monstrous twins—a vampire and an owl. In his final feverish agony, he sees a blue butterfly, symbol of his soul’s escape and eternal remorse.
Machine for Polishing Mirrors
Leonardo da Vinci
This technical drawing (c. 1490) shows Leonardo’s device for polishing concave mirrors, likely used in optical or experimental studies. Its mechanism demonstrates advanced knowledge of geometry, motion, and material tension. The design reflects his pursuit of instruments that could extend human perception through mechanical precision.
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
Tintoretto
Tintoretto’s work (1550–1553) depicts the biblical moment of temptation in the Garden of Eden. Eve, holding the forbidden fruit, entices Adam, who hesitates, capturing the tension between desire and conscience. The background suggests their impending expulsion, a consequence of their choice. Dramatic lighting highlights the figures, emphasizing their forms and the scene’s gravity.
Choir of Novices
Luis Alberto Acuña
This sculptural group by Luis Alberto Acuña (1970s) depicts a choir of young novices led by a conductor, rendered in white plaster. Positioned in the courtyard of Casa Museo Acuña, it captures themes of spiritual education, harmony, and discipline. The rigid poses and minimalist forms evoke a timeless reverence, bridging artistic expression with monastic tradition.
Madonna del colloquio
Giovanni Pisano
This half-length marble Virgin and Child (c. 1280–1284) originally stood at the south transept portal of Pisa Cathedral. Now, it captures a striking emotional exchange between mother and son. The Child gently grasps Mary’s veil, emphasizing Pisano’s innovative focus on tenderness and psychological realism in sacred art.
Chiminigagua Releases Light
Luis Alberto Acuña
Detail from a mural (1960–70s) reimagining the Chibcha creation myth. The supreme god Chiminigagua raises his arms as radiant birds burst forth, bringing light to the cosmos. A glowing sun and celestial rainbow crown the scene, marking the divine act that initiated life and order in the Muisca universe.
Man, Controller of the Universe
Diego Rivera
This mural (1934), a replica of Rivera’s censored Rockefeller Center fresco, places a worker at the symbolic axis of modernity. He guides cosmic, scientific, and political forces—flanked by socialism on the left and capitalism on the right. Lenin’s presence affirms Rivera’s Marxist ideals, asserting art’s power to envision revolutionary futures.
Puffed Star
Frank Stella
Installed before the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro (2016), this metallic sculpture by American artist Frank Stella dazzles with radiating points and mirrored planes. Its star-like form evokes cosmology and perception, inviting reflection on the interconnectedness of space, matter, and human imagination.
“When the path is beautiful, do not ask where it leads.” — Zen proverb
Welcome to my travel photography!
“When the path is beautiful, do not ask where it leads.” — Zen proverb
Welcome to my travel photography!
For as long as I can remember, my path has been one of discovery—seeking beauty, timelessness, and connection in every corner of the world. It has also been a journey of deep learning and understanding. I’ve been an avid traveler (or perhaps a travel addict?) for most of my life. My love for travel began long before I ever left home: as a child, I drew a fantasy map of my grandparents’ apartment and “traveled” through it with my cousin Sonya, imagining adventures in every corner. Nearly 90 countries and countless moments of awe later, I’m excited to share this journey with you.
Thanks to the tireless and ingenious programming of Diagilev, we’re now able to present about fifteen percent of the images I’ve accumulated over the years. More will be released in small batches depending on your interest. While the first release leans toward museum photography, later ones will include more nature, architecture, culture, and general travel experiences. If you’d like to receive email notifications about new releases, feel free to reach out—no commercial use, ever.
Throughout my travels, I’ve been drawn to two intertwined kinds of discovery. One is intellectual: learning why the world is the way it is. History became my guide, shaping my perspective and filling my camera roll with museums and old buildings. To me, history is not the past—it is the key to understanding the present and how the world became what it is. The other is emotional: seeking moments of elevation—spirituality, beauty, harmony—often found in nature, monasteries, and ancient sacred spaces. Together, these impulses shape my photography. It invites you to learn, admire, and soar—to rise above the mundane and see the world through a lens of curiosity and wonder.
Much of my later travel became possible thanks to my job with Delta Air Lines, but the wanderlust began years earlier. By the time I joined the industry, I had already visited over 35 countries and lived in several—largely thanks to a backpacking journey around the world with Luis León, whose face appears in many early photos. I grew up in Ufa in the USSR, and since leaving it I have lived, studied, and worked in Latvia, the United States, France, South Korea, Canada, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Japan, and Colombia.
A life of near-constant movement may seem a little crazy, but it has deepened my understanding of the world and produced the photography you are about to see. Over the years, my style has evolved—more intentional, more refined—yet its core remains the same: a search for understanding, timeless beauty, and a connection to those who walked this earth long before us.
I hope these photos stir something in your soul, just as they did in mine. I’d love to hear from you—whether reactions, suggestions, corrections, or a request to be added to the email list for new releases (no commercial use, I promise). You can learn more about my travels here, and my academic life here.
Enjoy our shared journey!