Natalija Kricka
Artist
Classically trained sacred artist working in Eastern and Western Christian traditions. Her work brings together traditional iconography, monumental painting, engagement with Scripture, and a contemporary vision in dialogue with liturgical space.
art.kricka@gmail.com
Natalija Kricka is a Christian, sacred and figurative artist from Latvia based in Bergamo, Italy. Classically trained in academic and monumental art at the Repin Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, she has focused her practice on the study of Old Master techniques and the creation of works inspired by Scripture and the lives of Christian saints.
Her work encompasses original easel paintings, monumental figurative compositions, and the development of site-specific mural projects conceived in dialogue with architecture.
She is a member of UCAI Bergamo (Unione Cattolica Artisti Italiani).
Now based in Italy, Natalija is available for commissions and professional collaborations internationally, including projects in the United States.
APPROACH
Sacred artist specializing in figurative and monumental painting, Christian iconography, and the design of site-specific mural and iconographic programs for liturgical spaces.
PHILOSOPHY
I believe that sacred art is a language through which God’s voice speaks to the heart of the person who beholds it. Everything that is truly beautiful in this world speaks of the greatness of the Creator.
The artist’s task is to observe, explore, seek to know the Truth, and remain attentive and sensitive to what God reveals — for the glory of Christ and the good of the whole Church.
In my practice, I give particular attention to harmony of color and composition, anatomical accuracy, and the expressive power of the image.
TRADITIONS SERVED
Natalija grew up in an Orthodox Christian family, has also attended Protestant congregations, and continues to explore the rich sacred traditions of Italy. She is open to serving any Christian tradition through art that glorifies Christ.
EDUCATION
Repin Academy of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, Russia Church and Historical Painting Workshop Natalija completed five years of academic training in the Church and Historical Painting Studio at the Repin Academy of Fine Arts. Her studies combined rigorous classical academic training with specialized preparation in sacred and monumental art. The curriculum included academic drawing and painting from life, composition, anatomy, Christian iconography and theology, monumental painting and drawing, and the development of mural compositions for architectural spaces. Her training also included the study and practical application of traditional painting methods, including egg tempera, oil painting, glazing, and gilding.
An important part of her training was the development of original designs for church murals, including individual compositions, architectural fragments, and ornamental elements, as well as the study and copying of historical works from the 12th, 14th, and 18th centuries and the Art Nouveau period, including ancient frescoes, icons, and monumental church painting. She also completed a copy of Peter Paul Rubens’ “Ecce Homo” directly from the original in the collection of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.
SERVICES
• Original sacred art commissions and master copies
• Artistic concepts and designs for church interiors
• Design of site-specific mural and iconographic programs for churches and liturgical spaces, including projects intended for execution by other artists or workshops
• On-site execution of church murals and monumental painting
• Easel painting and commissioned works
SPECIALIZATION
Fresco
Prints
Painting
Sacred Art Programming
