Mechanical Horse on a Golden Field
This work delivers a rare fusion of fairy-tale imagery and engineered elegance: the horse is reimagined as a whimsical, airship-like creature with a porthole, fittings, and strapped harnessing. The gold ground—evoking both luminous ornament and icon-like flatness—deliberately suppresses depth, shifting the scene into the realm of emblem and ceremony, equal parts celebratory and slyly ironic. The surrounding circular rosettes read as eyes, discs, or floral medallions, introducing a motif of watchfulness and festivity that heightens the sense of a fantastical rite. Matte surfaces, crackle-like effects, and subtly raised detailing give the painting the presence of an “aged artifact,” enhancing its objecthood and collector appeal: it registers as a singular made thing rather than an illustrative image. With its strong decorative command, saturated palette, and instantly legible central protagonist, the piece is well-positioned for private collections seeking narrative contemporary painting with pronounced interior impact.
Alexei Yezhov
One of the most popular and interesting artists of St. Petersburg, whose works represent a unique combination of surrealistic techniques and the traditions of Dutch masters. His paintings can be characterized as medieval surrealism, featuring people in medieval costumes reminiscent of characters from Bosch's paintings, as well as strange semi-mechanical fish and animals. His works also frequently feature mechanisms such as sails, wooden wheels, and other medieval devices. Alexei Yezhov employs glazing and multilayer painting techniques, which give his works depth and volume. He creates his own unique world where the medieval and the fantastic intertwine in unusual and captivating compositions.