Original artwork description:

“Legend of Yuriev Hill” draws from an ancient legend in which Yarilo, the god of spring, defeats a giant serpent that had taken water away from the people. At the spot where Yarilo’s lightning spear struck the creature, a spring burst forth — one that still flows at the foot of the hill in Vitebsk to this day. With the arrival of Christianity, a church was erected here in honor of St. George the Victory-Bearer (also known as Yuriy or Yegoriy), and over time, the image of the pagan god merged with that of the Christian saint.

In this work, created using oil monotype with acrylic, I sought to convey the mystical power of the legend: bright flashes of color represent the clash of winter and spring, while smooth transitions and textured brushstrokes spark the imagination, evoking the serpent’s underground realm and the newly freed spring. The painting is suffused with the atmosphere of ancient beliefs and historical intertwinings, inviting the viewer to share in the mystery of Yuriev Hill.

Materials used:

oil, acrylic

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