Houses Group – a painting about post-war childhood

I remember them from my post-war childhood. Decades later, I still see them huddled together, warming one another in the bitter winter cold, rejoicing in the gentle rays of the sun. This is my attempt to return to that distant past—an inspiration that has shaped my art for many years, manifesting in the creation of new themes drawn from that serene and peaceful world of childhood.

- Anatoli Gostev (1946–2022)

Impression of the Painting

Inspired by memories, the artist captures a scene that remained vivid in his mind. Post-war houses that survived the devastation gather close, as if to keep each other warm during a harsh winter, while on sunny days they bask in the gentle light and rejoice in having endured the horrors of war together. Using watercolor and pastel, the artist creates a unique atmosphere of togetherness—for in this God-forgotten place, survival is only possible through unity.

For Gostev, this painting became a journey to the past—a time bridge to the world of post-war childhood, where every corner and every house holds a fragment of memory, joyful moments of warmth, shared experiences, and a preserved sense of being. This memory, brought to life on paper, accomplishes the impossible—it breathes soul into a group of houses, imbuing them with spirit.

History of the Painting

The painting "Group of Houses" was completed by Anatoli Gostev in 2007 and remained in his home until his passing. This work became a sanctuary—a place where one could retreat from the cold into the soulful warmth of any of these homes from a post-war childhood, through a bridge of memory.

Exhibition in Basel

In 2021, the painting "Group of Houses" was featured at the ART Climate Change exhibition hosted by Novum Investments in Basel, Switzerland, where Anatoli Gostev was invited as a special honorary guest. That uncertain year, the artist would not live to see the approaching winter, embarking instead on his eternal journey to a new home.

YouTube video - GOSTEV | Online - Kunstausstellung 2021

Certificate of Authenticity

The work is signed by the artist on both the front and back sides, and is certified on the blockchain. Using timestamp technology, the unique digital signature of the painting’s root certificate is permanently recorded in the blockchain, guaranteeing immutability of its origin, authorship, and current ownership data.

The COA certificate contains data from the root certificate found in the ots proof file. The root certificate of the painting, registered in a Bitcoin blockchain block, can only be transferred to a new owner via a signed ownership transfer agreement, ensuring transparency and trust during resale or further transfer of the artwork. This makes the painting’s authenticity verifiable and valid throughout its entire existence.