The Entombment
Raphael
Commissioned in 1507 by Atalanta Baglioni to honor her slain son, this painting unites the Deposition, Lamentation, and Entombment in one scene. Raphael’s dynamic figures, especially Christ’s, show Michelangelo’s influence. Stolen in 1608 by agents of Cardinal Borghese, it now hangs in the Galleria Borghese. A 2020 restoration revealed vivid colors, delicate sfumato (soft tonal blending), and adjustments in Raphael’s evolving design.
The Comedy, Parody, and Tragedy
Rodel Tapaya
This 2018 painting layers crowded shanties, billboards, and tangled walkways with mythic creatures from Philippine folklore. Human figures mingle with spirits and masked characters, blurring everyday life with the supernatural. Bright colors and abrupt shifts in scale evoke noise, congestion, and spectacle. Tapaya unfolds contemporary urban experience as a chaotic folk tale, where comedy, parody, and tragedy coexist in a single scene.
Apollo
Phidias
This ivory mask (5th c. BC) represents Apollo-Greek god of light, music, and prophecy-and once belonged to a chryselephantine statue (a prestigious cult image of ivory and gold). Attributed to Phidias, the master sculptor of classical Greece, it is an exceptionally rare survival of this luxury art form. Looted in 1995 and recovered in 2003, it now serves as both a rare survival of luxury cult sculpture and a reminder of ongoing threats to archaeological heritage.
Bust of a Bearded Old Man
Rembrandt
This painting (c. 1630) by Rembrandt van Rijn exemplifies the tronie genre, focusing on character over identity. The expressive face of the elderly man, rendered in oil on panel, showcases Rembrandt’s mastery of light and shadow. As one of his smallest works, it explores themes of old age, capturing the nuances of human expression and emotion, marking an early exploration of the artist’s fascination with the human condition.
Arab Chieftains in Council
Horace Vernet
This 1834 work depicts Arab chieftains in council, likely discussing tribal matters or alliances. Vernet, a French artist known for battle scenes and Orientalist themes, illustrates the 19th-c. European interest in the Orient. The painting reflects the complex interplay of art, culture, and imperialism of the era.
Christ the Judge
Rogier van der Weyden
At the summit of the Last Judgment Altarpiece (1445–50), Christ sits enthroned on a rainbow, resting his feet on a golden globe that symbolizes dominion over the world. He raises his right hand in blessing, while his left gestures toward judgment. The sword and lily flanking him signify justice and mercy, balancing wrath with compassion. Draped in vivid red, Christ embodies divine authority, anchoring the entire altarpiece in the promise of eternal judgment and salvation.
The Holy Family with Sts. Francis, Anthony, Magdalene, John and Elizabeth
Bonifazio Veronese
This oil on canvas (1525–27) shows the Holy Family seated outdoors, with Mary offering fruit to the Christ Child held by Joseph. At their side stand the young Saint John the Baptist and the Archangel Raphael guiding Tobias, who carries a fish. The combination of figures from different episodes may connect to Renaissance interest in linking domestic piety with protective intercession.
It’s Not Where You Come From, but Where You’re Going
Ramón Calcaño
This oil painting (2018), entitled No importa de dónde vienes, sino hacia dónde vas, Calcaño presents a vast view of informal housing. Central to the scene is a figure holding books, emerging from the margins. The work highlights resilience and the transformative power of education, emphasizing the pursuit of a better future beyond one's origins.
The Council of the Gods (detail)
Giovanni Lanfranco
In this celestial scene from The Council of the Gods (1624–25), Jupiter presides over Olympus, crowned with stars and flanked by his eagle. Surrounding him are Juno, Venus, Mars, and Pluto, their divine forms emerging from clouds. Painted for the Sala della Loggia in Villa Borghese, the fresco evokes the grandeur and illusionistic power of Baroque heaven.
Painted Orthopedic Corset
Frida Kahlo
This hand-painted leather corset (c.1944), worn by Frida Kahlo, illustrates both her physical suffering and creative defiance. After spinal injuries and repeated surgeries, Kahlo turned orthopedic braces into canvases, inscribing them with personal symbols. She transformed medical necessity into art, merging pain, identity, and resilience.
The Earth
Einar Jónsson
Jónsson’s bronze sculpture, The Earth (1904–1908), features a seated figure cradling a smaller form, reflecting his shift to Symbolism after 1903. It explores themes of life, death, and the cyclical nature of existence. Jónsson, a pioneering Icelandic sculptor, studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, significantly influencing the evolution of Icelandic art.
Orestes and Apollo at Delphi
Painter of the Birth of Dionysus
This Apulian red-figure volute krater (410–390 BC) depicts Apollo aiding Orestes at Delphi. After avenging Agamemnon by killing Clytemnestra, Orestes seeks refuge from the Furies. Apollo's protection symbolizes divine support for justice. This piece highlights the intersection of myth and morality in ancient Greek culture.
The Veil Torn (The Door to Heaven)
Mariano Bidó
In this mixed-media work (2018), a vast crowd moves toward a hill crowned by three crosses under a black veil of smoke. Referencing the crucifixion, the piece evokes mass devotion, suffering, and salvation. The dense humanity contrasts with the distant, divine climax—highlighting faith as both a collective journey and personal reckoning.
The Thinker
Auguste Rodin
Rodin's iconic bronze sculpture, The Thinker(1904), depicts a nude male figure in deep contemplation, symbolizing profound thought. Originally part of The Gates of Hell, it reflects on philosophy and introspection. This one is the monumental casting, with 27 full-sized versions worldwide. The masterpiece invites viewers to ponder life's complexities, embodying the universal quest for understanding and intellectual pursuit.
The Comedy, Parody, and Tragedy
Rodel Tapaya
This painting (2018) from Tapaya’s Urban Labyrinth series swirls with hybrid beings, masks, and mythic figures at a chaotic table. Angelic wings, demonic grins, and spectral visages blur folk imagination with urban satire. Tapaya weaves Philippine mythology into contemporary critique, where humor and menace mirror the fractured realities of modern city life.
“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!