"The Struggle Between Good and Evil": Part I – The Celestial Burden

A Monumental Triptych After Academician Michael Verkholantsev

Michael Verkholantsev 

• 100% natural organic  silk 

• Glass Beads

Size: 130 x 160 cm without Frame 

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A Cultural Heritage Asset

Alexander’s Collection presents a work of staggering ambition and institutional significance. This 140 x 420 cm triptych, based on the original compositions of Academician Michael Verkholantsev, is a museum-level synthesis of Mannerist philosophy and haute-couture textile engineering. Executed in a complex mixed technique of silk, gold thread, and glass beads, this is a primary acquisition for collectors who demand art that is both intellectually profound and physically imposing.

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The Artist: Institutional Prestige

Academician Michael Verkholantsev is a living legend whose works are canonized in the world’s most elite museums. His status ensures the long-term provenance and appreciating value of this artwork:

• The State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg)

• The Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam)

• The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts (Moscow)

• The Ateneum Museum (Helsinki)

• Additional works archived in London, Vienna, Prague, Berlin, and Munich.

 

Narrative & Symbolism: Mannerist Allegory

This first installment of the triptych explores the eternal "Struggle Between Good and Evil" through the lens of classical mythology and Mannerist drama:

• The Celestial Task: Hercules is depicted in a monumental struggle, supporting the sky personified as a colossal Titan.

• The Dawn of Virtue: Nearby, Phoebus Apollo maneuvers his golden quadriga, symbolizing the beginning of the day, the triumph of light over darkness, and the awakening of the sun.

• The Foundational Myth: At the base of the work lies the powerful figure of Atlas, grounding the composition in the gravity of ancient allegory.

 

Technical Mastery: "Painting with Light"

The sheer scale of this piece (140 x 420 cm) requires a level of artisanal coordination rarely seen in the modern era.

• Mixed Media: The work utilizes thousands of meters of natural silk, layered with shades of gold thread to highlight the divine radiance of Apollo.

• Textural Depth: Specialized glass beads are meticulously integrated into the embroidery to create a shimmering, kinetic surface that reacts to ambient light, giving the mythological figures a 3D presence.

• Style: Pure Mannerism, characterized by elongated forms, complex compositions, and a dramatic tension that pushes the boundaries of textile art.

 

Investor & Designer Note

This is a Tier-1 anchor piece designed for grand architectural spaces—palatial residences, corporate boardrooms, or private museum wings.

• Value Preservation: Given Verkholantsev’s inclusion in the Hermitage and Rijksmuseum, this work represents a "Blue Chip" investment in contemporary craftsmanship.

• Bespoke Framing: By request, Alexander’s Collection can provide a custom-engineered Gold-Plated Frame designed to support the significant weight and scale of this tapestry. Due to the monumental size, framing is completed within 5–7 business days.