Andrea Taurisano photographer

A few years ago, in Lviv, Ukraine, I stopped this man to take his photo. 

Aleksey introduced himself as a retired physicist actually still eagerly working on a few scientific papers. 

That evening Aleksey invited me to his home, where he introduced me to his lovely wife.

As if we had known each other for years, we spent time talking about the contact points between our accademic backgrounds, in geology and physics.

But Aleksey ("genius", as the sign behind him certifies) held more surprises for me that evening.

He got himself ready to get out and took me on a visit to his best friend.

Yurii, also a retired physicist, spent much of his life producing thousands of masterfully executed drawings, that almost no one has ever had the pleasure to see.

About 80 years old, Yurii still draws from dawn to late night.

Aleksey knew I'd appreciate getting to know his friend.

Yurii is a real genius, having other artistic talents beside drawing. I was in total awe and felt like I was sitting in front of another Leonardo da Vinci.

Yurii has no Instagram, Facebook or web-sites to draw attention to his work, that has never been exhibited.

His living space and his studio were one.

Yurii showing me his work, of which I bought a few pieces that night.

Aleksey and Yurii made my day and still stand as my fondest memory from that Ukraine trip.