"Defender in the Light of Dawn", acrylic on gesso board, Bishop Maxim, 2025

This painting portrays a Herzegovinian warrior from the 19th century, captured in the solemn moment of advancing toward battle. His gaze reveals both concern and resolve, reflecting the inner struggle of a man bound by love for his homeland and beloved. His face, softly illumined in the Byzantine tradition, radiates an inner light, contrasting with the richly detailed traditional garments that speak of honor, devotion, and sacrifice. Executed in a style reminiscent of late 19th to early 20th-century Serbian painters, possibly evoking the spirit of Petar Lubarda, the background shimmers with a palette of yellow oxide, Naples yellow, and Turner yellow, blended with muted greens and earthy browns, suggesting both the vitality and gravity of the land he defends.