Ermak (or Yermak, as it is sometimes written) was a cossack military commander who led 1,650 cossacks and other volunteers into Siberia in 1582 in order to conquer the Siberian Khanate that was resisting the Russian expansion in the upper Kama region of northeastern European Russia. Although Ermak and his band were greatly outnumbered, they were able to defeat the natives in repeated engagements by making good use of their better organization, firearms, and their daring. They were actually able to seize the headquarters of the Siberian Khan Kuchum, and established the Russian presence in western Siberia.
Ermak in fact perished in battle in 1584, but he became a small legend of the time, which was during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. The khanate regained control for a brief time following his death, but reinforcements sent by the Tsar resubjugate the land and the fortified towns of Tiumen and Tobolsk were built in 1586 and 1587, respectively. These cities remain today and are the legacy of Ermak's daring spirit.
Renowned and decorated Mstera artist Leonid Zuikov has chosen to paint the quieter side of this small star of the vast sky that is Russian history. Here Ermak is sitting on the hillside pondering many things--yesterday's skirmishes, tomorrow's strategy in battle, his homeland, and the tasty soup the cook made. All this while his men soundly sleep, exhausted from the long days of engagement. His boats are docked at the rivers edge--a quick way to navigate the rough terrain of Siberia.
Although it appears that the Siberian tatars are on the other bank, it is more likely that Zuikov has employed an iconographic style of including multiple characters in different places and even times into one composition. The warring khanate is included here as an element of the story that is being told through this colorful picture. The tall hillside just to the left of Ermak is an artistic 'border' that divides the two portions from each other. Detailed leaves on the trees and even a thunderstorm in the upper right section make this a beautiful and brilliantly designed composition.
A line of gold paint outlines the painting, and bright, precise gold filigree rings the scene. Silver and peach flowers can be found amongst the gold foliage in this design, which is repeated on the sides of the box where blue and orange flowers are the highlight. The lid is hinged from the top of the composition, and the box stands on four round feet. Zuikov has signed, titled, and dated the box, and the 'archer' logo of the Mstera factory, where Zuikov still works, is found on the bottom of the box.
Materials: paper-mache, black and red lacquer, egg-tempera paint, gold, aluminum.
About Artist Zuikov, Leonid Grigoryevich:
Born in 1942 in the village of Perovo in Vladimir region. He currently lives in the village of Bolshoe Tatarovo in the same region.
Leonid graduated from the Mstera Art School in 1960, where his teachers were N.A. Lyubomudrova, N.I. Shishakov, and N. Dmitriev.
He began to paint author works in 1962, and now more than 100 sketches are reserved in his house. Up to now many works by Leonid Zuikov are set as patterns for copyists and youth at the Mstiora factory where he works.
Zuikov has received awards of different exhibitions, and Order of the Labor Fame too. Member of the USSR Union of Artists since 1973.
The master is interested in painting on the themes of folk f
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read about Zuikov, Leonid Grigoryevich
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Item Specifications:
- Title: "Ermak 2001"
- Price: $750.00
- Status: SOLD
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