STORY BEHIND THE ARTWORK

"Konev's Approach to Berlin" by Artist Craig Tinder

This signed and numbered limited-edition relic artwork is offered in Gallery-Wrapped Canvas presentation. The 18×12 edition is limited to 30 total pieces, and the 30×20 edition is limited to 20 total pieces. Each artwork includes an authentic historical relic and Certificate of Authenticity and is hand-signed by artist Craig Tinder.

The Story Behind the Print:

On 22 April 1945, Soviet T-34 tanks of the 1st Ukrainian Front, under the command of Marshal Ivan Konev, reached the southern outskirts of Berlin, closing in on the city’s defenses. Konev’s forces were part of the final Soviet push to capture the German capital, with orders from Stalin to take Berlin as quickly as possible. Stalin intended the city’s fall to coincide with Lenin’s birthday, marking a symbolic end to the war. However, despite their rapid advance, Soviet forces were still locked in fierce fighting on the periphery of Berlin, battling German defenders to cross critical defensive lines.

The 1st Ukrainian Front was one of the most formidable Soviet armies in this final phase of the war. Having already played a decisive role in smashing through the German 9th Army’s defenses, Konev’s troops aimed to encircle Berlin from the south, complementing the northern advance by Marshal Zhukov’s 1st Belorussian Front. By the end of the day on 22 April, Soviet forces had breached the Teltow Canal, penetrating Berlin’s inner defenses and bringing the war ever closer to the streets of the city.

Although Stalin's plan for Berlin to fall on Lenin's birthday was not fully realized, the progress made by Konev’s forces on this day marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany. The fight for Berlin would continue for several more days, with Soviet troops encircling the capital from multiple directions, leading to the final collapse of German resistance in the city. The fall of Berlin would officially bring the war in Europe to a close, but the significance of 22 April remains a testament to the relentless Soviet drive to victory.

Visit the Journal to read the full story!

Commissioned by Museums, Treasured by Collectors

This item is handmade by artist, Craig Tinder. Available to ship worldwide!

ABOUT THE RELIC

Recovered just south of Berlin between Baruth and Zossen, Germany, this relic fragment was removed from an 85mm spent shell casing from a Soviet T-34-85. This shell was likely fired from one of Konev's 40 Soviet tanks of the 1st Ukrainian Front that fought its way through Germany's 9th Army on its way to the Berlin Reichstag in the spring of 1945.Soviet T-34 85mm brass shell casing fragment

Internal view of Soviet T-34 fragment. Note the corrosion on other inside of the brass.

Up-close view of Soviet T-34 shell fragment

Soviet T-34 relic shell fragment mounted on canvas art piece

MATERIAL & DISPLAY

HERITAGE ALLOY™

Heritage Alloy™ is the next generation of Aces In Action Relic Artwork. Made from a rigid aluminum composite material, its smooth surface delivers exceptional color, contrast, and fine detail with a luminous quality that is difficult to fully capture in photographs.

Each Heritage Alloy™ edition incorporates our exclusive Artifact Dock™, integrating the authentic historical relic, its provenance, and limited-edition identification directly into the artwork. Available Ready to Hang or finished in a solid black wood frame.

GALLERY-WRAPPED CANVAS

Select Relic Artwork editions remain available on our traditional gallery-wrapped canvas while inventory lasts. Canvas provides a classic, textured fine-art presentation and is available Ready to Hang or finished in our traditional black floater frame.

AVAILABLE SIZES & FORMATS

  • 18" × 12" (45.7 × 30.5 cm) — Heritage Alloy™ or Gallery-Wrapped Canvas; Ready to Hang or Framed
  • 30" × 20" (76.2 × 50.8 cm) — Heritage Alloy™ or Gallery-Wrapped Canvas; Framed
  • Custom sizes may be available upon request

READY TO HANG

Every Relic Artwork edition arrives ready for display. 18" × 12" Heritage Alloy™ Ready-to-Hang editions include an installed rear wall-mount bracket, while Gallery-Wrapped Canvas arrives ready to hang without an external frame. Framed editions include installed hanging hardware. No additional framing or mounting is required before display.

RELIC MATERIAL & VARIATION

Unless otherwise stated, the relic included with your artwork is a fragment taken from the larger historical component shown in the reference photos. The size, shape, color, markings, and appearance of each relic may vary based on the original material available. Reference photos are provided to document and illustrate the source of the relic material and may not depict the exact fragment included with your artwork.

ABOUT CRAIG TINDER

ARTIST • HISTORIAN • RELIC CURATOR

Craig Tinder has spent more than two decades creating historically researched artwork that connects collectors with the people, machines, and events that shaped history. His work goes far beyond illustrating an aircraft, ship, or vehicle—the research and historical artifacts behind each piece are an integral part of the artwork.

Craig works with museums, aircraft and vehicle restoration organizations, veterans, historians, collectors, and other historical institutions around the world to locate and document authentic artifacts with meaningful connections to the subjects he depicts. He supplements this physical evidence with extensive research using museum collections, military records, historical photographs, archives, and other primary and secondary sources from around the world.

In his workshop, Craig carefully prepares and incorporates these genuine historical relics into his signed and numbered artwork, preserving their provenance while giving artifacts that might otherwise remain unseen a new way to tell their story.

Meet Craig Tinder →

SHIPPING & CARE

SHIPPING

Each Relic Artwork edition is individually handcrafted and completed by Craig Tinder. From engraving and assembling the Artifact Dock to preparing the relic, framing the artwork when selected, and completing the final inspection and packaging, every piece is finished specifically for its collector. Please allow additional time for this hands-on process before your artwork ships.

Gift wrapping is available for Relic Artwork, making it ready for presentation upon arrival.

DISPLAY & CARE

All Relic Artwork arrives ready to display. Unframed 18" × 12" editions include a rear wall-mount bracket, while framed editions arrive with hanging hardware installed.

Premium Relic Artwork editions are designed for long-term display. Keep artwork away from prolonged direct sunlight, excessive moisture, and extreme temperature changes. Dust gently with a clean, soft, dry cloth and avoid household cleaners or abrasive materials on the artwork, frame, relic, or Artifact Dock.

ACES IN ACTION JOURNAL

Explore Further

Discover the people, missions, machines and events behind this artwork with the complete story in the Aces In Action Journal.

Konev's Approach to Berlin: T-34-85s of the 1st Ukrainian Front

Read the Full Story

THE RELIC ARTWORK EXPERIENCE

Authentic History

Each edition incorporates an authentic historical relic, presented on a custom laser-engraved Artifact Dock with details connecting the artifact to its history.

Handmade by Craig Tinder

Every Relic Artwork edition is assembled in Craig's studio, where it is signed, numbered, crafted, inspected, and prepared for its collector.

Made for Collectors

From the Certificate of Authenticity to the finished presentation, each detail is designed to create a collectible that preserves a tangible connection to history.