Historical Precession
Pigment on plaster
35x35cm
I was fortunate to be accepted on course at the St Petersburg Academy of Arts. This academy is renowned as the only one that holds the tradition of rigorous classical training. It has preserved knowledge of the original techniques of classical styles of painting, including murals.
It hasn’t really changed since it was founded in 18th century by Catherine the Great and it was inspiring to work surrounded by such marvelous works created by previous students. I was assigned an assistant who took me through every stage of the process: preparing the materials, transferring the drawing, building layers of colour and finishing.
It is interesting to see Russian's holding on to a Classical tradition that they didn't invent - that they have invested so much in learning the art, that they have earned its ownership. The West seems more ready to "let go" because they create in such a different way.