“Holy Transfiguration Cathedral” – Original Painting by Marina Stognieva

The Story Behind the Painting

“Holy Transfiguration Cathedral” is an original work by Ukrainian artist Marina Stognieva, created in 2026 as part of the large-scale author project “Picturesque Guide to Ukraine”. The painting is made in oil on paper and measures 21 × 30 cm.

The work is dedicated to the Zhytomyr region and to one of its recognisable architectural landmarks — the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Zhytomyr. In this painting, the artist focuses not only on the architectural forms themselves, but also on the feeling of light, height, and open space surrounding the cathedral.

General view of the painting “Holy Transfiguration Cathedral”. Oil on paper, 21 × 30 cm, 2026.

The composition is built on the contrast between the light architecture of the cathedral and the deep blue sky. The tall bell tower on the right creates the main vertical accent and immediately draws the eye, while the domes and lower parts of the building form a complex rhythm of architectural shapes.

Marina Stognieva does not aim for dry architectural precision. The forms of the cathedral are rendered freely and painterly, with visible brushwork and textured passages of colour. Cream, white, and golden tones of the facades are combined with cooler greys and blues, giving the architecture a luminous quality.

The saturated blue sky occupies a large part of the composition and strengthens the sense of height. Light clouds are painted with broad movements of the brush, creating a changing, energetic background against which the cathedral’s vertical lines become even more expressive.

In the lower part of the work, the artist uses warm yellow, cream, and ochre tones. They balance the cool blue of the sky and give the painting the atmosphere of a bright day. Dark windows and arched openings become small graphic accents that help structure the architecture.

One of the distinctive qualities of this work is the combination of a monumental subject with a lively, almost sketch-like manner of painting. The cathedral does not appear static: brushstrokes, light, and colour create a sense of presence and direct observation.

“Holy Transfiguration Cathedral” is part of “Picturesque Guide to Ukraine”, Marina Stognieva’s large-scale author project in which different regions of Ukraine are explored through architecture, nature, urban spaces, personal impressions, and the artist’s painterly observations.

In this image of the Zhytomyr region, what matters is not only the building itself, but also its presence within the city. Light, sky, the vertical rhythm of the towers, and the warm facades transform the architectural motif into an emotional image — one of the artist’s visual notes about Ukraine.

→ Explore the Zhytomyr Region in “Picturesque Guide to Ukraine”

→ Open the “Picturesque Guide to Ukraine” project

Artwork Details

Original Artwork & Collectible Fine Art Prints

The painting “Holy Transfiguration Cathedral” is an original artwork by Marina Stognieva, created by hand in oil on paper and existing as a unique one-of-a-kind work.

Collectible Fine Art Prints personally signed by Marina Stognieva may also be available for selected works. Available formats, materials, prices, and other details can be discussed before ordering.

Payment & Worldwide Shipping

Payment can be made via PayPal, bank transfer, or another agreed method.

Worldwide shipping is available. Shipping costs and estimated delivery times are calculated individually depending on the destination and order details.

The artwork on paper is carefully packaged to protect the painted surface and ensure safe transportation. All purchase, payment, packaging, and international shipping details can be discussed directly with the artist before ordering.

“I wanted to capture not only the architecture of the cathedral, but also its presence in the surrounding space — the light on the facades, the height of the towers, and the sense of quiet that appears when you look at an old city landmark.”

— Marina Stognieva