Bookshelves. Painting. Artist Sergey Konstantinov.

Shears & Window. San Francisco Design Center. Copy of Paintings Bookshelves. 18/43 in. Oil/canvas.

The creative proposal for this painting originated from Ann Getty, who desired a painting of a bookshelf. I designed a composition of two bookshelves side-by-side in a diptych style. Each bookshelf is divided into four parts, exhibiting disciplines of the humanities: theatre, literature, and art. The masks displayed at the top shelves are recognized as a symbol of theatre and drama, and originate from Greek mythology. I sketched the masks to determine the placement of the comedy and tragedy character. Old but precious books line the middle shelves, with each book presenting a title of Getty’s favorite author. The delicate art of blue and white Porcelain Delft pottery is displayed below the literary works.