«NAPOLEON AT THE FEET OF BUDDHA’ STATUE» 
2002, canvas, mixed technique, acrylic, 150x185 cm.

Perhaps in every European country there is its own star pleiad - Caesar, Dante and Leonardo in Italy, Vasco da Gama and Marquis of Pombal in Portugal, Goethe and Bismarck in Germany. But still the number one for entire Europe, the embodiment of action, talent, decisiveness and passion is undoubtedly the not tall man wearing a grey undecorated coat - Napoleon Bonaparte.

In this fascinating scene at the feet of Buddha’ statue two monk boys are shaving each other heads and don’t even take a look at Bonaparte - the European conqueror is ephemeral for them. Such seeming passiveness of self-concerned Orient has deluded us more than once. But if there is anyone whose wisdom and understanding makes even Napoleon feel like a child - that is certainly Buddha.