House with snakes and chestnuts (Mansions of Kiev) Print

5. The house with Snakes and chestnuts is a sample of European Art Nouveau and was erected in the early 20th century. This apartment house was built by the order of the owner of the site S. Chokolova, the architect I. Ledokhovsky, who, along with Gorodetsky, was the founder of the Kiev Art Nouveau. Chestnuts decorating the passepartout are a symbol of wisdom, knowledge and also a symbol of Kiev. In the center of the picture there’s a head of Medusa Gorgon, which harmoniously echoes the stucco reliefs of the mansion. The image of Gorgon was not chosen by chance: according to Ovid, Gorgona was a girl with beautiful hair. God Poseidon turning into a bird, took possession of Medusa in the temple of Athena, where Medusa rushed in search of protection from his persecution. Athena not only did not help her, but also turned her hair into snakes. Later, Gorgon was beheaded by Perseus. The fate of this mythical woman was as unfair as the fate of the House with snakes. Being a unique architectural monument, it is not only not restored, but every year it comes to an increasingly deplorable state, many decorative elements of the house are destroyed by time irrevocably and continue to crumble before our eyes. Maybe soon it will disappear forever.

Print:Giclee on Fine Art Paper

Size:8 W x 12 H x 0.1 D in

Size with Frame:13.25 W x 17.25 H x 1.2 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.