River Landscape
“Teteriv River”
Oil on paper
The Teteriv appears as one of the defining natural images of the Zhytomyr region. The open water, riverside greenery and shifting light convey the tranquillity and natural beauty of this land.
Picturesque Guide to Ukraine
Zhytomyr Region Through the Eyes of Ukrainian Artist Marina Stognieva
“Forests and rivers, ancient stone, autumn colours and bright mallows reveal the Zhytomyr region as a land of tranquillity, history and inspiration.”
Discovering Ukraine
Zhytomyr Region — A Land of Forests, Water and Ancient Stone
The Zhytomyr region is one of the greenest and most naturally diverse areas of Ukraine. Polissia forests, rivers, lakes, granite banks and flooded quarries shape its distinctive landscape. Nature is experienced here not only through wide views, but also through still water, rustling trees and constantly changing light.
Zhytomyr, Berdychiv, Korosten, Zviahel and Radomyshl preserve different chapters of the region’s history. Sacred architecture, historic urban buildings, Radomysl Castle Museum, folk traditions and the memories of many generations form its rich and multifaceted cultural identity.
In this art collection, the Zhytomyr region appears peaceful, luminous and welcoming. Water and stone, architecture and nature, Ukrainian everyday life and flowers come together in a visual story about a land that invites the viewer to pause, contemplate the landscape and experience its tranquillity.
About the Art Project
“Picturesque Guide to Ukraine” — A Journey Through Art
“Picturesque Guide to Ukraine” is a large-scale author’s project by Ukrainian artist Marina Stognieva, dedicated to every region of the country. It reveals Ukraine not only through famous landmarks and geographical names, but also through painting, colour, light, human stories and the distinctive character of each land.
The paintings create a unique artistic map of Ukraine. Cities and villages, architecture and nature, historical memory and everyday life exist side by side. Each artwork conveys not only the appearance of a place, but also its atmosphere, emotion and the artist’s personal impression of it.
The project is also being developed as a future book. Original paintings will be combined with cultural and historical information, interesting facts, personal observations and stories about different parts of Ukraine. It will allow readers to travel through the country page by page and discover it through art.
The Future Publication
Zhytomyr Region in the Future Book
This book layout shows how original paintings, the natural and cultural imagery of the Zhytomyr region, and short stories will be brought together in the future publication “Picturesque Guide to Ukraine”.
Images of the Collection
Four Facets of the Zhytomyr Region in Art
Rivers and Polissia Nature
The Teteriv River, quiet banks, small bridges and houses beside the water reveal the Zhytomyr region through tranquillity, natural light and the gentle rhythm of unhurried life.
Architecture and History
The Holy Transfiguration Cathedral and Radomysl Castle Museum represent the architectural heritage and the many layers of history preserved throughout the region.
Stone and Water
Druzhbivskyi Quarry, with its stone banks and unusual water colour, reveals another side of the Zhytomyr region — expressive, monumental and almost dreamlike.
Ukrainian Home and Traditions
A Ukrainian meal with borshch and bright mallows bring domestic warmth, vivid colour and images associated with hospitality and Ukrainian folk culture to the collection.
Art Collection
Original Paintings of the Zhytomyr Region
Below are original paintings by Marina Stognieva inspired by the nature, architecture, history and cultural imagery of the Zhytomyr region. Each artwork can be opened separately to view its details, read its story and learn about purchasing options.
Purchasing Art
Original Paintings and Collectible Fine Art Prints
The paintings presented in the Zhytomyr region collection are original works by Marina Stognieva. Please contact the artist directly to check the availability of a selected painting and discuss purchasing options.
A collectible fine art print signed by the artist can also be ordered for many of the works. Available sizes, materials and other details are discussed individually.
View Fine Art PrintsInteresting Facts
The Lesser-Known Zhytomyr Region
From a Paper Mill to a Castle Museum
In 1612, a paper mill was founded on the site of present-day Radomysl Castle to produce paper for the printing house of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. A flour mill was built on the old foundations in 1902, and in 2007 the transformation of the abandoned building into a historical and cultural complex and Museum of Ukrainian Home Icons began.
Zhytomyr and the Dream of Space
Serhii Korolov, the renowned spacecraft and rocket engineer, was born in Zhytomyr. Today, the city is home to the National Museum of Cosmonautics named after him, preserving the history of space exploration and presenting Ukraine’s contribution to space science.
A Personal Memory
Four Days at Radomysl Castle
In autumn 2018, I travelled to Radomysl Castle Museum on a personal creative trip to mark Artist’s Day. I spent four days there and stayed inside the castle itself.
I was alone in the castle for around half of my stay, and I spent every night except one on my own. My room was decorated in a medieval style, which helped me become fully immersed in the atmosphere of the place. At night, however, the enormous building began to feel slightly unsettling, so during the day I was especially pleased to see visitors and hear human voices.
The castle welcomed me with bright autumn sunshine. Its red brick, towers, ponds and courtyard sculptures looked especially expressive among the rich autumn colours. The arches were entwined with vines bearing ripe red grapes, the scent of fallen leaves filled the air, and everything around me carried a sense of comfort and the quiet whisper of autumn.
I worked on the castle terrace, which overlooked the town, a small river and a bridge. Long willow branches leaned towards the water. As I painted, adults and children passed by, stopped and watched the landscape gradually appear on the canvas.
During those days, I experienced a strong sense of freedom, space and creative inspiration. I wanted to preserve the moment in paint so that the sunlit autumn and my personal experience of the place would remain on the canvas forever.
Autumn in Paint
The Place, the Creative Process and the Finished Landscape
These photographs preserve the atmosphere of the creative journey and show not only the castle, but also the view that became the subject of the finished painting.
The paintings created at the castle have been preserved and remain part of my personal story of the Zhytomyr region. They also preserve my memories of those sunny days, the silence of the vast building, autumn leaves, water and the people who stopped to watch a painting come to life.
If I returned to Radomysl Castle today, I would not set myself any major creative tasks. I would simply enjoy the time, nature and atmosphere of the place, making a few quick watercolour sketches to preserve the memory.
Explore Ukraine
Continue the Artistic Journey
Discover other regions featured in the large-scale author’s project “Picturesque Guide to Ukraine”.
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Learn More and Support the Project
Purchases, Commissions and Collaborations
Contact the Artist
To purchase an original painting, order a collectible fine art print signed by the artist, support the project or propose a collaboration, please contact Marina Stognieva directly.
Viber / WhatsApp / Telegram:
+380 93 520 74 31
Telephone for calls in the United Kingdom:
+44 7596 724323
Email:
art_stognieva@ukr.net