Kononkov was one of the pioneering sculptors at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries who turned to the depiction of the female nude. His sculpture "The Nude" (Inv. No. Sk-85, 1916. 156 x 43 x 38) marked a return to wood as a traditional sculptural material, which had been largely abandoned in sculpture during the 19th century. It also showcased the artist's mastery in achieving maximum plastic expressiveness in his work.

The "Mask of the Libyan Lion" (Inv. No. Sk-206. Model 1891–1892; made after 1899. Maiolica, colored glazes, regenerative firing. 45.5 x 44 x 22) was created during the Kyiv period of Mykhaylo Vrubel (1856 – 1910) and has its own unique history.

Due to the complexity and depth of the character, Antokolsky considered "Spinoza" (Inv. No. Sk-40. 1893. Marble. 88 x 45 x 69) to be one of his best works. It took 20 years from conception to materialization. The sculptor traveled to the philosopher's homeland in the Netherlands, studied his image, biography, and philosophical works, and drew inspiration from his ideas. According to the artist's own words, he often repeated Spinoza's statement as a prayer before starting work: "I pass by human evil because it hinders me from serving the idea of God." Antokolsky noted that the statue made a strong impression on everyone who saw it.