Very rare early 20th century architecture watercolour ( a pair to item number 1377) with motive of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra (Ukrainian: Kyievo-Pechers’ka Lavra, also known as the Kiev Monastery of the Caves, an historic Orthodox Christian monastery in Kiev, Ukraine.), The author of watercolour LUKOMSKY George Kreskentevich (1884 (Kaluga) - 1952 Nice), important Russian watercolorist, art critic, art historian and one of founders of Kiew museum of west and east art, origined from an old noble family. Father - an engineer-technologist, who held administrative posts in the province. General education in the Secondary School. Studied at the Drawing School of PI Sychev Orel (1890), preparatory classes YS Goldblatt in St. Petersburg (1901). After unsuccessful attempts to enter the Higher Art School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture at IAH went to Kazan, where he continued his studies at the architectural department of art school in KL Myufke and FR Amlonga (1901 -- 1903). In 1903 entered VHU; worked at the architectural office (1903-1915, with interruptions). In 1908-1909 he lived in Moscow, independently engaged in the Rumyantsev Library, the Historical Museum and the Stroganov School of Industrial Art. Attended Moscow studio KF Juon. In 1915 he defended his thesis project in the VHU, receiving the title of architect-artist.The artist lived in St. Petersburg (Petrograd). In 1904, 1905, 1907, 1909 traveled to the cities of France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Poland. Repeatedly went through the old cities in Russia. He studied the old and new architecture, performing architectural sketches. Created graphics and watercolor series: "Drevlyane tunes," Old Paris "," Palaces, Villas and Gardens "," In the cities of Italy, "Temples and homes", "From the Middle Ages", "Old and new Russia", "Monuments architectural antiquities in Russia "," Old Warsaw "," Kazan "and others. Engaged ex libris, book graphics.He was close masters "World of Art". In 1909 he debuted as an artist in the "Salon" SK Makovsky. Held a solo exhibition in the magazine "Apollo" (1909). He participated in exhibitions in the halls of IAH, the Union of Russian Artists (1909), the New Society of Artists (1912, 1913, 1915, 1917), an international art exhibition in Brussels and the exhibition of Russian art in Paris (1910).The press played since 1908. Collaborated in the journals "architect", "Old Years", "Apollo", "Capital and Country", "Art in the South of Russia". In 1908-1909 made a series of reports on the architecture of Western Europe and Russia. Author of monographs "walks through the old quarters of Paris" (St. Petersburg, 1912), "Kostroma" (with VKLukomskij; St. Petersburg., 1913), "Vologda in its antiquity" (Pg. 1914) , "Old Petersburg. Walking through the old neighborhoods "(Pg. 1916)," The monuments of ancient Russian architecture in the types of its artistic construction "(Pg. 1916) and others.In 1914-1915 participated in trench work at the front in Galicia, where he completed illustrations for his book "Galicia in its antiquity" (St. Petersburg, 1915).After the February Revolution entered the Special Conference on the Arts, led the work on the inventory and restoration of monuments of Tsarskoe Selo. In November 1918 went to the Ukraine. He studied ancient Byzantine monuments in Kiev, has worked in Vseizdate, organized and headed the art museum, established on the basis of private collections BI Khanenko (now - Kiev Museum of Eastern and Western art). Before joining the White Army away from Kiev, fearing reprisals. Winter spent in Yalta, the spring of 1920 emigrated. He lived in Constantinople (1920), Berlin (1921-1925), Paris (1925), London (since 1940).Abroad remains combined with the literary artistic activities. In the 1920´s worked in emigre journals "Flashes", "The Firebird", "Eve, was a foreign correspondent for Soviet publications" Among Collectors "," Living Art "," Krasnaya panorama. Wrote articles for periodicals Apollo, The Studio, Beaux-Arts, Emporium and others. Published an extensive monograph: "Russian porcelain", "Russian Architecture" (both - Berlin, 1924), "Andrea Palladio. Life and Work "(Paris, 1927), Charles Cameron (London, 1943)," History of Russian painting. 1840-1890 "(London, 1945)," Jewish Art in the synagogues of Europe "(London, 1947).Works of the artist continued to appear in exhibitions in Soviet Russia, in particular the exhibition of original drawings of the Petrograd bookplate (1923), exhibition of works of the revolutionary and Soviet themes (1930) and others. In 1928 a large retrospective exhibition was held Lukomski in Kazan. With the success had solo exhibitions in Paris (1935) and London (1936).Creativity Lukomski represented in many museum collections, including the State Russian Museum, Pushkin Museum im. Pushkin, the Luxembourg Museum, the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris, the Museum Castle Sforzesco in Milan, the National Gallery of ancient art in Rome.Literature: "Dictionary of Ukrainian artists (in ukrainian)" , Ukrainian encyclopedia Edition, Kiew, 1973; in on-line: www.artinvestment.ru

Inscription: signed in Russian lower right, under image - original old memory incription in Russian and German: " Kiew.Pesherskaya lavra. Korpus Tipography (typography building)" and inventory number on the lower ledge "P.361."

Technique: matted watercolour on paper, originally laid down on cardboard.

Measurements: image w 9 " x h 12 1/4" (23 x 31,2 cm ) , matted w 13 3/4" x h 17 3/4 " ( 35 x 45 cm ).

Condition: in very good condition.