Oil painting Icon of the Saint Oleksandr Gukalov

№AAA3505

The painting titled "Icon of the Saint" is a reverent depiction of a holy figure, blending traditional Christian iconography with fine artistry. Rendered in oil on canvas, the artwork follows the classical style of Orthodox religious art, emphasizing sanctity, devotion, and spiritual guidance.The saint is portrayed frontally, with a serene and solemn expression, exuding wisdom and benevolence. His attire is ornate, featuring golden and red tones that symbolize divinity, authority, and sacrifice. The richly decorated vestments, adorned with intricate patterns and jewels, suggest his elevated status within the spiritual realm. The halo encircling his head, painted in radiant gold, signifies his sanctity and eternal connection with the divine.In his right hand, the saint offers a gesture of blessing, with his fingers forming a traditional sign of benediction. This gesture conveys the act of imparting grace and spiritual guidance to believers. In his left hand, he holds a pastoral staff draped with a white cloth, symbolizing purity, leadership, and his role as a shepherd to the faithful. The detailed rendering of the staff highlights its importance as an emblem of his ecclesiastical authority.The background of the icon is kept simple, with warm, golden tones that create an aura of divinity and timelessness. Above the saint’s head, inscriptions in decorative frames provide identifying details, further anchoring the image in the tradition of sacred Christian art.Through "Icon of the Saint," the artist seeks to inspire reverence and spiritual reflection. The meticulous attention to detail, from the folds of the robes to the luminous quality of the halo, draws the viewer into a moment of divine connection. The work invites contemplation of the saint's virtues, his role as a mediator between the earthly and heavenly realms, and the timeless principles of faith and guidance that he represents.This painting not only serves as a devotional object but also as a testament to the enduring beauty of religious art, connecting viewers across generations with the spiritual traditions it upholds.

*** ABOUT THIS PAINTING ***
* TITLE: "Icon of the Saint"
* ARTISTS: Oleksandr Gukalov
* SIZE: 30x40 cm/'11.81x15.74 inches'
* MEDIUM: oil, hardboard
* HAND PAINTED: Original painting from our collection
* CONDITION: we tried to convey the maximum information with the help of photos about this product

About the artists: Oleksiyander Gukalov
After graduating from Lviv Polytechnic, he was engaged in scientific work. In his free time, he studied the works of Plato, the poetry of the ancient East, and religious works. At this time, resistance to the routine of life and utilitarian science arose in him; he became interested in man and his secrets. Oleksiyander decided to end his engineering career and become a humanitarian. Since 1990, he began to write and publish philosophical poems. Later he decided to devote himself to painting, a passion for which began during his years of study at the Lviv Polytechnic with caricatures and caricatures of classmates and teachers.

Since 2017 he has been painting with oil paints. Oleksiyander does not have a formal art education, but he is convinced that the craft and talent of an artist do not directly depend on professional education. The artist's works are characterized by completeness of composition and depth of meaning. He is not afraid to work with different themes, his paintings are true modern art that touches people. The artist’s portfolio includes landscapes and views of his favorite cities, portraits of pop stars, politicians, athletes, relatives, and animals. “I draw a toga when I feel the need for it. Therefore, I cannot say that I work in some narrow direction. Rather, it is a call from the soul,” the artist says about himself.

Exhibitions

2011 – Personal exhibition, Lutsk

2011 – Exhibition “World of Jazz”, Lutsk

2011 – Exhibition Arts.in.ua, Kiev

2012 – Personal exhibition in the art cafe “Apartment 35”, Lviv

2012 – Personal exhibition “On the Waves of Dreams”, Lutsk

2012 – International exhibition “Plain Air”, West Park Art Gallery, New York

2012 – International competition “Peace, Time and People”, special medal of achievements St. Michael, New York

2012 – Exhibition of artists who were included in the K-Gallery catalogue, Kyiv

2012 – International exhibition-competition of contemporary art “Ukrainian Art Week”, Kyiv

2013 – opening of a permanent exhibition and sale, Lutsk

2013 – Exhibition “Spring Impressions” of the international art project “Vicious Circle of Impressions”, Kiev

2015 – Personal exhibition, Lutsk

2015 – Ukrainian-Italian exhibition “Single Space”, Kyiv

2015 – International art project “New York – Tokyo”, Tokyo

2016 – International art project “Color in Motion”, New York Realism Gallery, first place and Gold medal in the category “Impressionism”, New York

2021 – International exhibition “Art Nest Paris”, Paris

Oleksandr Gukalov