A Man with a Glove
Titian
This introspective portrait (c. 1515) captures a bearded man in mid-turn, scroll in hand, his gaze piercing yet reserved. Rendered with Venetian richness, the work highlights the sitter’s intellect and social poise. The subtle play of light on fabric and flesh reveals Titian’s early mastery of psychological depth and painterly nuance.
Cupid and the Three Graces
Raphael
In this fresco (1518), Raphael portrays Cupid with the Three Graces, who embody beauty, charm, and joy. The scene reflects the harmony of love and divine favor, integral to Psyche’s myth. Framed by Giovanni da Udine’s botanical festoons, it blends mythology with Renaissance ideals of grace and abundance.
Hercules the Archer
Antoine Bourdelle
This plaster sculpture (1906–09) shows Hercules, the Greek hero, drawing his bow with taut energy. Bourdelle captures both physical strain and mythic power, fusing classical subject with modern dynamism. The work marks a turning point in early 20th-c. sculpture, bridging academic tradition with expressive innovation.
Roman Civilization and the Heroic Virtue of Honor
Mariano Rossi
This illusionistic ceiling (1775) shows a vortex of gods, heroes, and allegorical figures arranged in rising spirals. Rossi organized the composition with deep foreshortening to create a theatrical Baroque panorama. The central burst of light frames scenes of conflict and ascent, indicating how Roman culture linked civic honor with collective greatness.
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.
Self-Portrait
Tintoretto
This self-portrait (1546–48) by Tintoretto, a leading figure of the Venetian Renaissance, presents the artist with an intense, direct gaze that suggests introspection and resolve. The subdued palette and earthy tones create a solemn mood, yet the brisk, energetic handling of paint hints at the dramatic style that defined his larger works. Emphasizing inner character over setting, the portrait later entered the Orleans Collection and was acquired for Marie Antoinette in 1785.
The Entombment of Christ (detail)
Titian and Palma the Younger
This fragment (1618) reveals Christ’s lifeless body marked by crucifixion wounds, cradled with reverence by mourning figures. The interplay of flesh, fabric, and sorrow exemplifies Titian’s emotive realism, while Palma the Younger completes the drama with expressive gestures—honoring human grief and divine sacrifice in one timeless moment.
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.
The Rape of Proserpina
Bernini
In this masterful marble (1621–22), Bernini captures Pluto’s violent abduction of Proserpina—an allegory for the changing seasons from Roman myth. Her twisting body and anguished face contrast Pluto’s force, while Cerberus, the underworld’s three-headed hound, reinforces the drama. At just 23, Bernini infused the stone with breathless motion and tactile realism, anchoring the Borghese legacy in Baroque brilliance.
Woman with Umbrella
Fernando Botero
A solitary figure walks through a forest, her reflection mirrored below as if suspended between worlds. Her voluminous dress and umbrella contrast with the vertical rhythm of the trees. With surreal calm and poetic symmetry, Botero (1989) transforms a simple stroll into a meditation on solitude, identity, and the quiet theatricality of everyday life.
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.
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.
Portrait of a Musician
Leonardo da Vinci
This intimate oil on panel (c. 1485) is Leonardo da Vinci’s only known male portrait. Likely depicting a court musician in Milan, the sitter clutches a sheet of music, suggesting both profession and intellect. The unfinished lower section contrasts with the intense gaze, highlighting Leonardo’s interest in capturing psychological presence over ornamental finish.
Madonna of the Towers
Bramantino
This tempera and oil painting (1515–20) presents the Madonna and Child enthroned between Saint Ambrose and Saint Michael. Set before fortified towers symbolizing Marian protection, the composition reflects Leonardo’s influence in its symmetry and restraint. Below, a toad representing the Devil lies defeated, underscoring the Virgin’s triumph over evil.
The Last Supper (with Cuy)
Diego de la Puente
De la Puente’s 1658 painting uniquely blends Spanish colonial art with Peruvian culture. It depicts Jesus and his disciples eating cuy (guinea pig), a local delicacy, instead of lamb. This substitution reflects how Catholic imagery was adapted to local customs, offering a clear example of the visual and cultural hybridization that shaped colonial Peru.
“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!