Martin Lawrence Galleries

 Liudmila Kondakova’s first childhood memories were all bright color: reds, blues, greens, yellows, and whites. She recalls that her first persistent question to the adults around her was “What color is this”? Painting absorbs Kondakova’s whole being. If she is not painting, she is thinking about her current or future projects. The day’s when she does not work she considers lost. Liudmila Kondakova painted with egg tempera for many years. It is an unforgiving technique. If you make a mistake, you have to start over. Through this process, she learned planning and discipline, and she uses those skills to create highly detailed paintings of her favorite cities, places, and spaces.  She starts painting from the farthest background area, and she works forward. From the darkest parts of the painting to the lightest, as if she is bringing her composition from darkness to light. Paris is a city that Kondakova has portrayed time and again in her work, and its architecture has inspired many of her works.

“Chambord Snowfall” is part of a 2006 collection of miniature lithographs produced as a comprehensive homage to Liudmila Kondakova’s dedication to the faces of cities. It amply demonstrates her wit, knowledge of art and the depth of her world travels. True to centuries of printmaking tradition, great pride was taken during the production of these prints. Liudmila Kondakova extensively participated in the entire printmaking process. The printer, Art Estampe, has been uncompromising in taking the many essential steps necessary to ensure that these works are faithful to the artist's vision.

In “Chambord Snowfall” Liudmila Kondakova brings to artistic life once again one of the most recognizable chateaux in the world. Chambord is recognized for its distinct French Renaissance architecture which blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structure. The detail and precision shown in the painting are indicative of Liudmila Kondakova Russian Iconography background, which is rich in details and requires specific techniques to achieve.
‘Chambord Snowfall” is the frontal view of “Chambord” amid a snow storm. The snow gives Chambord an ethereal feel, disturbed only by the dark details of the trees in the front of the Chateaux. “Chambord Snowfall” is a 16 x 23 – inch, hand signed serigraph on paper.