DVOEVERIE (DUAL FAITH)

Oil on canvas, 36 x 48 inches, 1989

(Private collection, Weston, Connecticut)

The painting was created as a gift for a Rollins College graduate and connected with his trip to Russia and his enrollment in the artist's Russian Folklore class, during which the phenomenon of dual faith in Russia was discussed.  After Christianization of Russia in 988, many pagan customs and traditions continued to be observed, perhaps as long as until the 15th century or even longer.  Therefore, in the composition, we see a Russian Orthodox church, deacons and monks walking around it with an icon, and below it, a statue of Perun, pagan god of thunderbolt and lightning, surrounded by stones and trees.  There are other images related to Russia (Cossacks, a tavern, a gallery, a theatre) and to the owner.  The right lower corner shows the graduate with his diploma, standing next to his college and behind him a sign pointing to the place he lived before coming to Florida.

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