Kono Michisei. A Study for a Portrait of Yoshiko. 1916

A Study for a Portrait of Yoshiko (Kono Michisei, 1916)

Yes, there is a Russian tie-in for this Japanese artist (whose dates are 1895-1950, and he is associated with Taisho Realism). He was of the Russian Orthodox faith, his father, Kono Jiro, was one of the early converts of St Nikolai Kassatkin. Mr Kono is the only Japanese artist of the Orthodox faith known to me (no doubt, there are others, but, as I stated, I know of none other at present). Some of his other works I have seen in museum exhibitions, but, no images are downloadable, alas… One concerns Adam and Eve and another is a rather interesting Nativity.

Kono Michisei. A Portrait of Yoshiko. 1916

A Portrait of Yoshiko (Kono Michisei, 1916)

Kono Michisei. A Self-Portrait. 1917

A Self-Portrait (Kono Michisei, 1917)

Kono Michisei. A Self-Portrait. 1917 (2)

A Self-Portrait (Kono Michisei, 1917 (2))

Vladimir Tretyakov. Liturgy for the Little Ones. 2009

Liturgy for the Little Ones (Vladimir Tretyakov, 2009)

The scene depicted is at a chapel attached to a works site in Russia. The children are from the works kindergarten, which, in Russia, is something of a combination day-care centre and early-grades school for kids up to seven years of age (when they go to regular school). Although all concerned know that there is a great deal of work to be still done in the restoration of the Church, a goodly amount has been done already, as this photo indicates. In other words, a very good start has been made, all that remains is for us to keep it up! Also, it indicates how deeply Orthodox Russia is at base, in obvious contradiction to America, which is deeply secular at its heart (as a society, I am not speaking of individuals here). The Church in Russia does not need any help from us in America. Indeed, WE need their assistance in putting things right. Shall we have the humility and wisdom to do so? One hopes so… may we not let crack-brained pseudo-intellectual notions such as “autocephaly” stop us.

Olga Dolgaya. A Young Woman in White. 1998

A Young Woman in White (Olga Dolgaya, 1998).

Olga Dolgaya. A Sorrowful Reverie. 1998

A Sorrowful Reverie (Olga Dolgaya, 1998).

Olga Dolgaya. A Girl with a Basket. 1998

A Girl with a Basket (Olga Dolgaya, 1998).

Olga Dolgaya. A Young Woman in a Headscarf. 1999

A Young Woman in a Headscarf (Olga Dolgaya, 1999)

Pyotr Brazhanov. A Portrait of Admiral St Fyodor Ushakov. 1912

A Portrait of Admiral St Fyodor Ushakov (Pyotr Brazhanov, 1912)

Admiral St Fyodor Ushakov (1744-1817) was one of the most illustrious Russian naval commanders of all time. He was not only a daring fighting sea-dog, he was a competent administrator and a serious Orthodox Christian. The port facilities in Sevastopol and Kherson were originally built by him, and he worked on the establishment of the towns surrounding the naval bases. Admiral Ushakov never lost a battle, but, that is not why he was canonised. He took good care of his officers and sailors, and he ended his life in one of the monasteries of the Church (he never became a monk, but, he lived in a monastery and led a pious lay life).

He was canonised in 2000, and is the patron saint of the navy and of the Dalnaya Aviatsiya (“Long-range Aviation”, the strategic bomber force).