Sophia of Kyiv, interior 1959

Yuriy Khymych captured this interior view of the Sophia of Kyiv using watercolor, a medium prized for its portability and immediacy. But let's consider what is actually being depicted here: a space laboriously constructed over centuries. Its architecture and decoration, including the icons on the walls, stand as a testament to the many hands involved in its creation. The church's ornamentation suggests the work of mosaicists, stone carvers, and painters who employed time-honored techniques to construct this important landmark. The image almost seems to acknowledge this history, with the watercolor thinly applied to the paper, like the work of the church slowly revealing itself through time. Khymych’s choice of watercolor, a readily available material, contrasts sharply with the skilled traditions and labor-intensive processes evident within the church itself. It can be appreciated as a readily available and transportable medium, perfectly suited to the artist's task of capturing the splendor and depth of the church interior. Ultimately, this work prompts us to think about the dialogue between different kinds of making, and how they reflect the social, cultural, and political contexts from which they arise.