Rovinj – Three Interpretations of Croatia

These three trees somehow etched themselves into my memory with their graceful curves. I see them in the morning, at noon, and I feel the urge to paint them.

- Anatoli Gostev (1946–2022)

Impression of the Painting.

The painting is divided into three planes. The foreground and background frame the central motif — Croatia’s exotic trees. The composition unfolds “slowly” from left to right, as if climbing a hill. The details of the work decelerate this movement, evoking a sense of unhurriedness so characteristic of the Balkan region. Soft pastel tones emphasize the sunny, hot holiday season, when everything yields to the one word that defines the Balkans — Polako. It translates as “slowly and peacefully.”

We traveled through the Balkans together and separately, absorbing and reflecting on the region’s astonishing purity of energy. We painted watercolors side by side. An unforgettable time.

- Anatoli Gostev (Jr.)

Anatoli Gostev devoted his artistic life to the process of painting through the prism of reflections on everyday things, the beauty of nature, and the duality of life. A photograph survives of the first version of the painting — “Trees of Croatia,” created in 2012 and later acquired by a collector from Germany.

Fascination with the Balkan Motif.

The South changes an artist’s worldview. An example is August Macke’s journey to Tunisia in April 1914 together with Ludwig Kirchner and Hans Ammann. The sun, vivid colors, and contrasts of the South inspired the artist to create a series of paintings suffused with light and inner calm. Travels to North Africa and Oceania profoundly influenced the palette and themes of Henri Matisse. A great admirer of pristine nature, Paul Gauguin dreamed of the South and created his masterpieces in Tahiti.

One thing is clear from the painting “Rovinj” — only in the atmosphere of Balkan purity and peace do trees twist skyward as if dancing.

Authenticity of the Painting — Signature and Certificate.

The work is signed by the artist on the front and bears the dynasty’s official seal on the reverse. The painting “Rovinj” is certified in the blockchain. Using timestamp technology, the unique digital signature of the root certificate of the painting is permanently recorded in the block chain, guaranteeing the immutability of data about its provenance, authorship, and current owner.

The COA certificate contains the root certificate data from the ots proof file. The root certificate of the painting, registered in a Bitcoin blockchain block, can be transferred to a new owner only by signing a transfer of ownership agreement, ensuring transparency and trust in any future sale or handover of the artwork. This makes the painting’s authenticity verifiable and relevant throughout its entire existence.