Princess Olga is a legendary woman who embodies the courage and resilience of Ukrainian women. After the death of her husband, Prince Igor, she had the strength and courage not only to raise her son, but also to take ruthless revenge for her husband’s death. The princess’s sharp mind repeatedly found the most ingenious solutions to the most critical situations of those times. According to historical records, the princess’s revenge on the Drevlyans was repeated, which clearly reflects her temperament. The first time, when after Igor’s death it was decided to marry Olga to the Drevlyan prince Mal, 20 of the ‘best men’ were sent to her, and the princess ordered them to be buried alive. The second time, Olga herself asked for the best men to be sent to her, and when the envoys arrived, they were burned in a bathhouse. The third time, using an ancient ritual called a trisna, Olga ordered the drunken Drevlyans to be killed. The fourth act of revenge took place after a year-long siege of the city of Iskoroten. Through her envoys, Olga asked for three pigeons and three sparrows from each household under the pretext of a light tribute and that the revenge was supposedly over. The Drevlyans agreed, and on the princess’s orders, they tied tinder to each bird, which they set alight when it got dark and released the birds. Thus, Iskoroten burned down, and Olga avenged the death of her husband Igor.
TITLE: Princess Olga – the fourth revenge
TITLE: Princess Olga – the fourth revenge. Close-up
TITLE: Princess Olga – the fourth revenge. Close-up
TITLE: Princess Olga – the fourth revenge. Close-up. Signature of the artist
TITLE: Princess Olga – the fourth revenge. Frame option
If you are interested in this painting and would like to purchase it, please fill out and send the feedback form on the home page. You can also purchase this painting at the online galleries linked on the home page. Dispatch from Kiev (Ukraine)
TITLE: Princess Olga – the fourth revenge YEAR: 2025 ARTWORK TYPE: Original Art/One of a kind DIMENSIONS: 40х50cm TECHNIQUES: Oil on acrylic undercoat RELATED THEMES: Landscape, history SUPPORT OR SURFACE: Canvas on the canvas-stretcher FRAMING: No CATALOGUE N: Kovalska136
The painting, which is the right-hand panel of the triptych ‘Freedom’, depicts Grand Prince Vladimir Sviatoslavich of Kiev, under whose rule the Christianisation of Rus took place. The theme that unites the paintings in this triptych is, first and foremost, the coat of arms of our state, the continuity of generations, the continuity of history, and the interconnection of important historical events. The trident depicted on Prince Vladimir’s shield has been a symbol of our country since ancient times. Even in the days of Kievan Rus, the definition of state power and the continuity of statehood traditions, symbolised by the trident, was of great importance. The history of the trident dates back to the time of the Rurikids, who used it literally everywhere: from money to bricks for building structures. But the trident appeared much earlier on the territory of modern Ukraine. Archaeological finds indicate that the Trypillians used the trident as a sign of elders as early as the 3rd-4th centuries BC. Many different hypotheses have been put forward as to what the Ukrainian coat of arms symbolises. None of them has been fully proven, so there is still no reliable and comprehensive interpretation. A fairly common opinion is that the trident symbolises Rarok, the messenger of heavenly justice, or a falcon flying down. In many cultures, this bird was of great importance, as it was the embodiment of victory over evil, a symbol of power, indestructible strength and valour. In ancient Slavic culture, the falcon also occupied a special place at the top of the world tree. Among the various interpretations, there are other associations, including that the Ukrainian trident is an ancient religious symbol, a tripod candlestick, an anchor, an ear of wheat, a crown, a bow and arrow, and a triune sacrifice for the victory of life over death. Some experts on Ukrainian culture believe that the coat of arms of Ukraine can be deciphered as the word ‘VOLYA’ (This ancient russian word has several meanings: will, liberty, freedom), the letters of which make up the modern trident. But whatever it symbolises, the trident symbolises above all the will of the people, the indestructibility of the country, and embodies the connection between generations. Today, the trident is the coat of arms of Ukraine and has long been a symbol of the indestructibility and struggle of Ukrainians for freedom.
Prince Volodymyr — godfather of Kievan Rus
Prince Volodymyr — godfather of Kievan Rus. Close-up
Prince Volodymyr — godfather of Kievan Rus. Sidepiece. Close-up
Prince Volodymyr — godfather of Kievan Rus. Close-up. Signature of the artist
Prince Volodymyr — godfather of Kievan Rus. Frame option
If you are interested in this painting and would like to purchase it, please fill out and send the feedback form on the home page. You can also purchase this painting at the online galleries linked on the home page. Dispatch from Kiev (Ukraine)
TITLE: Prince Volodymyr — godfather of Kievan Rus Triptych “Freedom”. Right part YEAR: 2025 ARTWORK TYPE: Original Art/One of a kind DIMENSIONS: 60х80cm TECHNIQUES: Oil RELATED THEMES: Portrait, history SUPPORT OR SURFACE: Canvas on the canvas-stretcher FRAMING: No CATALOGUE N: Kovalska133r
Vikentiy Khvoika (real name Čeněk Chvojka, Czech) was a self-taught Russian archaeologist of Czech origin, one of the founders of Ukrainian archaeology, the discoverer of the Trypillian culture in the Kyiv region, and a researcher of the Scythian, Zarubintsy (3rd century BC — 4th century AD), Chernyakhov (2nd—7th centuries) and early Slavic cultures. In 1907, during archaeological excavations in Kiev, Chvojka stumbled upon a unique find — an ancient plinth with a trident engraved on it. It was the symbol of Vladimir Sviatoslavich, which later became the coat of arms of independent Ukraine. The painting, which is the left part of the triptych ‘Freedom’, depicts the moment when the ancient symbol of princely power was found. The theme that unites the paintings in this triptych is, first and foremost, the coat of arms of our state, the continuity of generations, the continuity of history, and the interconnection of important historical events. The trident has been a symbol of our country since ancient times. Even in the days of Kievan Rus, the definition of state power and the continuity of statehood traditions, symbolised by the trident, was of great importance. The history of the trident dates back to the time of the Rurikids, who used it literally everywhere: from money to bricks for building structures. But the trident appeared much earlier on the territory of modern Ukraine. Archaeological finds indicate that the Trypillians used the trident as a sign of elders as early as the 3rd-4th centuries BC. Many different hypotheses have been put forward as to what the Ukrainian coat of arms symbolises. None of them has been fully proven, so there is still no reliable and comprehensive interpretation. A fairly common opinion is that the trident symbolises Rarok, the messenger of heavenly justice, or a falcon flying down. In many cultures, this bird was of great importance, as it was the embodiment of victory over evil, a symbol of power, indestructible strength and valour. In ancient Slavic culture, the falcon also occupied a special place at the top of the world tree. Among the various interpretations, there are other associations, including that the Ukrainian trident is an ancient religious symbol, a tripod candlestick, an anchor, an ear of wheat, a crown, a bow and arrow, and a triune sacrifice for the victory of life over death. Some experts on Ukrainian culture believe that the coat of arms of Ukraine can be deciphered as the word ‘VOLYA’ (This ancient russian word has several meanings: will, liberty, freedom), the letters of which make up the modern trident. But whatever it symbolises, the trident symbolises above all the will of the people, the indestructibility of the country, and embodies the connection between generations. Today, the trident is the coat of arms of Ukraine and has long been a symbol of the indestructibility and struggle of Ukrainians for freedom.
Vikentiy Khvoyka. Kyiv artefacts from the princely era
Vikentiy Khvoyka. Kyiv artefacts from the princely era. Close-up
Vikentiy Khvoyka. Kyiv artefacts from the princely era. Close-up
Vikentiy Khvoyka. Kyiv artefacts from the princely era. Sidepiece. Close-up
Vikentiy Khvoyka. Kyiv artefacts from the princely era. Close-up. Signature of the artist
Vikentiy Khvoyka. Kyiv artefacts from the princely era. Frame option
If you are interested in this painting and would like to purchase it, please fill out and send the feedback form on the home page. You can also purchase this painting at the online galleries linked on the home page. Dispatch from Kiev (Ukraine)
TITLE: Vikentiy Khvoyka. Kyiv artefacts from the princely era Triptych “Freedom”. Left part YEAR: 2025 ARTWORK TYPE: Original Art/One of a kind DIMENSIONS: 60х80cm TECHNIQUES: Oil RELATED THEMES: Portrait, history SUPPORT OR SURFACE: Canvas on the canvas-stretcher FRAMING: No CATALOGUE N: Kovalska133l
The painting, which is the central part of the triptych ‘Freedom’, depicts Mykhailo Hrushevsky, a Ukrainian historian, public figure and politician. He was the chairman of the Central Rada of the Ukrainian People’s Republic (1917-1918). At Hrushevsky’s suggestion, on 12 (25) February, at a meeting of the Small Rada in Korosten, the trident was approved as the coat of arms of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, and it became the coat of arms of independent Ukraine in 1991. The theme that unites the paintings in this triptych is, first and foremost, the coat of arms of our state, the continuity of generations, the continuity of history, and the interconnection of important historical events. The trident has been a symbol of our country since ancient times. Even in the days of Kievan Rus, the definition of state power and the continuity of statehood traditions, symbolised by the trident, was of great importance. The history of the trident dates back to the time of the Rurikids, who used it literally everywhere: from money to bricks for building structures. But the trident appeared much earlier on the territory of modern Ukraine. Archaeological finds indicate that the Trypillians used the trident as a sign of elders as early as the 3rd-4th centuries BC. Many different hypotheses have been put forward as to what the Ukrainian coat of arms symbolises. None of them has been fully proven, so there is still no reliable and comprehensive interpretation. A fairly common opinion is that the trident symbolises Rarok, the messenger of heavenly justice, or a falcon flying down. In many cultures, this bird was of great importance, as it was the embodiment of victory over evil, a symbol of power, indestructible strength and valour. In ancient Slavic culture, the falcon also occupied a special place at the top of the world tree. Among the various interpretations, there are other associations, including that the Ukrainian trident is an ancient religious symbol, a tripod candlestick, an anchor, an ear of wheat, a crown, a bow and arrow, and a triune sacrifice for the victory of life over death. Some experts on Ukrainian culture believe that the coat of arms of Ukraine can be deciphered as the word ‘VOLYA’ (This ancient russian word has several meanings: will, liberty, freedom), the letters of which make up the modern trident. But whatever it symbolises, the trident symbolises above all the will of the people, the indestructibility of the country, and embodies the connection between generations. Today, the trident is the coat of arms of Ukraine and has long been a symbol of the indestructibility and struggle of Ukrainians for freedom.
Mykhailo Hrushevsky. A historical view of the political unity of the nation
Mykhailo Hrushevsky. A historical view of the political unity of the nation. Close-up
Mykhailo Hrushevsky. A historical view of the political unity of the nation. Close-up
Mykhailo Hrushevsky. A historical view of the political unity of the nation. Sidepiece. Close-up
Mykhailo Hrushevsky. A historical view of the political unity of the nation. Close-up. Signature of the artist
Mykhailo Hrushevsky. A historical view of the political unity of the nation. Frame option
If you are interested in this painting and would like to purchase it, please fill out and send the feedback form on the home page. You can also purchase this painting at the online galleries linked on the home page. Dispatch from Kiev (Ukraine)
TITLE: Mykhailo Hrushevsky. A historical view of the political unity of the nation Triptych “Freedom”. Central part YEAR: 2025 ARTWORK TYPE: Original Art/One of a kind DIMENSIONS: 60х80cm TECHNIQUES: Oil RELATED THEMES: Portrait, history SUPPORT OR SURFACE: Canvas on the canvas-stretcher FRAMING: No CATALOGUE N: Kovalska133c
Landscape
