Saint Catherine of Siena
The icon depicts the saint in the Dominican habit, in the characteristic black-and-white color scheme symbolizing a life devoted to prayer, penance, and service to the Church. She is shown in contemplation, with a gentle, meditative expression that emphasizes her deep spirituality and mystical experience. In her hands, she holds a cross. The background is rendered in a soft gray-green tone, adding delicacy and calm, contrasting with the starkness of the black-and-white habit.
Technique: egg tempera on wood panel. Dimensions: 20 × 30 cm, 2024.
Saint Helena
The icon presents the saint in a minimalist color palette, evoking the aesthetic of antiquity. The inscription in Old Church Slavonic reads: “Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Helena.”
Technique: egg tempera, gold leaf on wood panel. Dimensions: 20 × 16 cm, 2023.
Saint Helena
The icon of Saint Helena, the Empress, depicts her frontally as both a ruler and a saint of the Church. She is shown in imperial attire – a richly decorated cloak and crown, often with a veil – emphasizing her dignity and her historical role as the mother of Emperor Constantine. In her hand she holds a cross, symbolizing the discovery of the True Cross in Jerusalem, which became a sign of her sanctity and her contributions to Christianity.
Technique: egg tempera, gold leaf on wood panel. Dimensions: 20 × 16 cm, 2018.
Saint Martha
Saint Martha is known from the Gospel of Luke, which recounts Christ’s visit to the house of Lazarus. The sisters were serving the guests, while Mary listened to Jesus’ words instead of helping with the meal. She was gently admonished by the Teacher: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted about many things, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
For this reason, Saint Martha is considered the patroness of busy people, homemakers, and cooks. In Western iconography, she is often depicted with kitchen utensils, keys, or a broom.
Egg tempera on wood panel. Size: 20 × 16 cm, 2020.
Saint Olga of Kiev
The icon of Saint Olga of Kiev depicts the saint frontally as the first Christian ruler of Rus’. She is shown in princely attire, wearing a veil and crown, holding a cross and a model of a church – symbols of her embraced faith and role in spreading Christianity. Her face conveys focus and dignity, combining the authority of a ruler with the spiritual gravitas of a saint.
The icon is executed in a dark, solemn color palette, dominated by deep greens, purples, and reds, giving the depiction a sense of seriousness and historical depth. The restrained colors and subtle modeling emphasize the majesty of the figure and her significance.
Egg tempera, gold leaf on wood panel. Size: 45 × 25 cm, 2022.
Saint Martina
This original icon was created according to the client’s concept. Saint Martina is depicted as a young woman with elegantly styled hair, wearing a dignified robe that reflects her Roman origin and high social standing. She is shown with traditional attributes referencing her life story and martyrdom: holding a cross and a palm leaf, with a lion at her feet. The deep red background further emphasizes her glory through the sacrifice of her life.
Egg tempera, gold leaf on wood panel. Size: 17 × 35 cm, 2021.