49 thoughts on “Northern Dreams”

  7. although this is an extreme romanticization, its splendid. i see it draws from ancient russian culture before the rounded onion roofs and other asian designs.

  9. Some of the art almost resembles British Columbia’s aboriginal peoples art. I note some totem poles as well as abstract crows. Did BC natives borrow some ancient Russian arts?

    • totem poles you might find for sure in Russia and Poland. Those were representatives of pegan Gods (in my country as far as I remember that was Swiatowid- lightwatcher or something). By the way- it was not so hard to move culture from N America to Asia and Europe. Alaska during winter time was connected by ice. And also, looking not so far behind, Alaska belongs to USA for not so long time- it was a part of russia before. Aren’t Alaskan totems similar to birds?

      • This art is really WONDERFUL. Besides, four-faced Slavic God is called Swietowit or Svantevit (both names mean “Mighty Master” or “Mighty Lord”), not Swiatowid (“The World-Seer”, “The one who sees all world”). Also, Swietowit/Svantevit has been worshipped in Rugia (now Rugen, Germany) and the most famous place devoted to Him was Arkona – the temple-town or castle-town in Rugia. The four-faced idol of Slavic Gods called Swiatowid from Zbrucz probably represents various Slavic Gods and Goddesses and it also arguably shows three spheres of the Universe (Heavens or Svarga, domain of Swarog and Perun; Earth (Zemlya, Ziemia) land of Mokosh (or Mokosha), who is the Mother Goddess or Mother Earth, and the last domain, Underworld or Navia,, the place of Veles who takes care of fertility and the departed souls (NOT damned, there was and is NO damnation or “hell” in Old Slavic Religion). Glory/Slava!!

  11. … по трєхъ жє дьнєхъ јавишѧ сѧ єпискѹпѹ града того имєнємь пєтрѹ јако сѫтъ съхран҄єнъі кости нашѧ сємь мѣстѣ .

  12. “ancient Russian North themes” – as a matter of fact, those territories, in particular the Karelia, had little to do with Russians as we know them.

    P.S. I like pics. Really cool! Some recall of Conan the Barbarian and Lovecraft’s ancient cities under the ice. The guy definitely has the spark of imagination.

  13. Is it me, or there’s no picture #6? I tried reloading the page but couldn’t find a 6.jpg. Wonderful blog and wonderful post to it, though!

  16. Don`t disturb me,i am dreaming.how nice and beautiful collection of pictures.”There is more pleasure in loving,than is being loved”.

  17. Do not forget Ivanov was alos a very acomplished writer. His most famous novel is Colored Winds where he defines experiences of the Russian Civil War. I do recommend.

  21. Karelia is part of Greater Finland which is occupied by Russia. Finland failed to liberate it during WW2. Also Sweden fought for it several times since the 14th century.

    The architecture in the paintings are nordic viking mythology, with a viking ship on the second painting and a viking temple in the third to last. Swedish vikings used to sail down the Volga and Dnjepr trading with the turks.

    • that ship is not a Drakkar, it’s a Lodya, you can see from it’s soft curves and the different shape of the front head which doesn’t merge into the body of the ship.
      Lodyas were generally heavier and slower than Drakkars but better suited for rivers than seas.

      Karelia wilfully joined us and hasn’t even shown a slight sign of resistance since 1991 unlike Chechnya, Karelians are good folks.

      The architecture is actually Slavic, note the similarities to the “Russian Modern” style of civil architecture (see the State Historic Museum on red square)

  29. Umm.. Messed up fantasy I’d say when it comes to symbols and mythology. And I wouldn’t overuse the word ‘motherland’ when it comes to northern nations, because most of them call their lands ‘father’s land’ instead. And last but not least, slavic nations moved up north later than those ugrians (ancestors of Finns, Ingrians and Estonians etc etc) of Karelia.

  30. хахаха!!!
    *)
    это вы еще не видели открытки с дедом морозом и снегурочкой на тройке золотисных лошадей – сказочный кич!!

  31. Images are great, I wish there were more. Has the creator of the images written a novel to match. I showed my wife the images and told her that our next house will one’s shown here.

  32. Hello everybody!
    Does anyone know who painted these pictures, if it’s not Vsevolod Ivanov? It would mean alot to me, as I’m interested in Slavic mythology…thanks!

    • Well he’s Vsevolod Borisovich Ivanov, an artist born in 1950 in Karelia, not the writer who was born in Northern Kazakhstan. Are the ships in pic #12 completely imaginary or are they inspired by some historical vessels? Thanks in advance.

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  39. Fantastic pantings….. Slavs are one of the oldest civilisations on earth …Slavic simbols and alfabet is the oldest in the world…look at the findings in “vinca” Serbia ..As for the language Slavic laguage is the oldest in the world and to the sanscreet the mother of all indo-european language if you all do your reasearch carefully you will find that north countries such as Sweden Norway and Finland have thair ensestarial roots from Slavs …orr did they fly across Slavic lands to settle where they are now….Do your research people …”truth will set you free”

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