When Ivan and his brothers shot their arrows into random parts of their kingdoms they had no idea who their wives were to be. Ivan's brothers found themselves beautiful maidens, with whom they were very pleased. Ivan, however, got himself a maiden, but she was not beautiful. She was a frog that was holding the arrow he shot out, and the two were to be married. As the tale progresses it turns out that the frog was much more skilled at baking and weaving than the other two wives. Actually, the frog was a princess who was turned into a frog by way of a curse.
Victor Babkin of Palekh has poured his years of experience into the painting of this piece. His technical mastery of compositional painting in the icon style is at an apex, and although he is in the twilight of his life his work keeps getting better. His interests in oil painting on canvas have helped him tremendously to develop his own sense of style. He has so many oil paintings of his own that soon he is to place them in an exhibition. While working with tempera and oil at the same time, he has not forgotten that the paper-mache box is what has brought him success and international acclaim.
Egg-tempera paint is the main medium used to paint this composition. This palette is very warm and is inviting for the eye. Smooth linear movements are worked in with the brush and each element of the composition is boldly separated. The tale within the panorama transitions seamlessly from side to side. Architecture and trees create natural separations between the three scenes within the composition. Gold and aluminum are used to outline and limn extra details into the scene. This adds a radiance that leeches more color from the existing palette.
The box is made out of paper-mache made in Palekh. Black lacquer covers the exterior and red lacquer covers the interior of the box; clear lacquer is added in layers that are polished to a gleaming finish. Gold ornamentation frames the composition, while an expanded pattern runs around the sides of the box. There is no hinge and the box rests on a flat bottom. Upon completing the work on this piece the artist writes Palekh, 2003, the title, and signs his name along the bottom of the composition.
Materials: paper-mache, egg-tempera paint, gold, aluminum, and lacquer.
About Artist Babkin, Victor Alexeevich:
Babkin Viktor Alexeevich was born in 1938 in the village of Tolishmanovo, Tumen Region. Now he resides in the village of Palekh, Ivanovo Region.
In 1961 the artist finished the Palekh Art School. His teachers were Astakhov, Nemtinov B.M., Bondarenko V.T., Vikhrev N.F., Kaurtsev F.A., Borunov A.V., Zhegalov V.V. and Solovyov. Thesis work of Babkin V.A. was the composition “Ivan the Terrible in the gun court”.
Works by Babkin V.A. are exhibited in the State Museum of Palekh Art, in the State Russian Museum and many others.
Viktor Alexeevich works at home. He paints his compositions in the style of Palekh lacquered miniature, using tempera paints. Themes of his works are various.
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Item Specifications:
- Title: "Tale of the Princess Frog 2003"
- Price: $575.00
- This specific item is available as a single work.
We do not expect to carry this item in the foreseeable future!
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