Simonetta Vespucci as Cleopatra
Piero di Cosimo
This painting (c. 1480) by di Cosimo depicts Simonetta Vespucci as Cleopatra, with an asp coiled around her neck. Created posthumously, it honors Vespucci’s beauty; she died in 1476 at 23. The profile view echoes medal portraits, while the snake may symbolize her death from tuberculosis. The serene landscape and sky enhance her ethereal presence, making this work a poignant tribute.
The Crowning with Thorns
Caravaggio
This painting (1602–04) depicts Christ humiliated before crucifixion. Crowned with thorns and bound, he stands in silent suffering as soldiers force the reed into his hand and mock him as king. Caravaggio’s harsh chiaroscuro strips away grandeur, presenting raw cruelty and dignity in contrast. The work confronts viewers with the violence of power and the endurance of faith.
Christ in Glory (detail)
Raphael
The radiant figure of the risen Christ (1508–10) crowns the celestial register of The Disputation of the Sacrament. His raised hand and visible wounds recall both his Passion and his role as judge at the end of time. Encircled by golden rays, he visually affirms the doctrine of the Eucharist as the enduring, real presence of Christ.
Judith Beheading Holofernes
Caravaggio
This canvas (c. 1599) painted in Rome embodies Caravaggio’s radical realism and theatrical chiaroscuro. Judith, a young widow, slays the Assyrian general Holofernes to save her people. Her calm determination contrasts with his violent death and the maid’s aged pragmatism. By staging sacred violence with unflinching naturalism, Caravaggio redefined biblical painting as a drama of human courage and divine justice.
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.
The Appearance of Christ to the Disciples
Master of Cabestany
This 12th-c. Romanesque sculpture by the Master of Cabestany depicts Christ revealing himself to his disciples after the resurrection. The artist is known for figures with large heads, flat foreheads, long noses, and almond-shaped eyes. Likely from the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, the work exemplifies the Master of Cabestany’s influence across Southern Europe, from Tuscany to Navarre.
Homage to Vivaldi
Eduardo Ramírez Villamizar
This sculptural relief in painted wood (1963) reflects Villamizar’s fusion of geometric abstraction and musical rhythm. Vertical repetition and modulated forms evoke the structured elegance of Vivaldi’s compositions, transforming sound into visual cadence. It belongs to the museum’s permanent collection.
Christ and the Adulteress
Tintoretto
This scene (c. 1555) is from the Gospel of John: Jesus responds to scribes and Pharisees demanding judgment on an adulterous woman. His challenge—inviting the sinless to cast the first stone—teaches mercy over condemnation. Tintoretto’s dynamic style appears in the sharp contrasts of light and shadow, elongated figures, and oblique spatial arrangement that intensify the moral tension. Classical architectural elements frame the encounter, emphasizing the conflict between legalism and redemption.
Earth
Einar Jónsson
This sculpture (1904–08) depicts a human figure cradling a smaller, draped form, symbolizing the Earth or nature. Jónsson, an Icelandic sculptor, is known for his symbolic and allegorical works exploring mythology, spirituality, and the human condition. This piece reflects his exploration of humanity’s connection to the natural world and the spiritual realm.
The Saviour Not Made by Hand
Simon Ushakov
This mid–late 17th-c. fresco depicts Spas Nerukotvorny (The Saviour Not Made by Hand), an image understood as a direct imprint of Christ’s face and a sign of his enduring presence. Ushakov follows Byzantine conventions yet introduces soft modeling and spatial depth drawn from Western art. The work reflects a moment when Moscow blended inherited Orthodox forms with new artistic influences to express religious renewal.
David with the Head of Goliath
Caravaggio
This haunting composition (1609–10) shows David holding Goliath’s severed head—modeled on Caravaggio himself. Rather than triumph, the mood is remorseful. The intense chiaroscuro, psychological realism, and moral ambiguity turn this biblical victory into a meditation on guilt, mortality, and inner torment.
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.
The Penitent Magdalene
Caravaggio
This painting (1594–95) shows Mary Magdalene seated in repentance, jewels cast aside at her feet. With downcast eyes and folded hands, she embodies both sensual beauty and spiritual transformation. Caravaggio merges naturalism with sacred symbolism, turning penitence into a deeply human, intimate moment of grace.
Bacchus and Ariadne
Baldassare Peruzzi
Painted c. 1511 in the Loggia of Galatea, Villa Farnesina, this scene depicts Bacchus, the god of wine, with Ariadne, whom he marries after her abandonment by Theseus. The golden mosaic-like background evokes classical luxury, while Peruzzi’s composition aligns with the villa’s mythological and astrological themes. This artwork reflects Renaissance fascination with classical mythology and the interplay of fate and divine intervention.
Instant Gratification
Rodel Tapaya
This work (2018) reinterprets the Filipino fable of The Monkey and the Turtle, placing its lesson within a crowded jungle of gambling stalls and restless figures. Monkeys embody the tale’s impatience and hunger for quick gain, while a small turtle-the steady effort outlasts reckless desire. Log piles, patterned trunks, and theatrical foliage frame a world driven by instant gratification and easy profit. Tapaya adapts indigenous storytelling to expose modern cycles of greed.
“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!