Sometimes, no matter what odds are being stacked against you, determination must be found.
Currents of water and fear swirled about Sadko. His adventure had exhausted him. He wondered to himself if this was going to be his final home? Among the urchins and crabs? It wasn't so spectacular anymore. A most powerful figure was rising in front of him. This was a leader of a new kind. Sadko had met intimidation before but this was getting ridiculous! Suddenly, there was a demand! The pressure of the deep was nothing compared to the social pressure of the moment. Sadko was going to have to play his music! It would be this music that would set him free. Sadko would be going home.
The alluring presentation before you was created by talented Kholuy artist Alexander Kuznetsov. The color combinations and the overall design of the piece enhance the animation in splendid fashion. Any room or display is sure to benefit from a composition such as this.
Egg-tempera paint is the primary medium used to compose this scene from the adventurous tale of "Sadko." Here we see Tsar Morskoi, King of the Sea as he is being entertained by the string laden glee of Sadko. Soon, Sadko will return to the love of his wife that he has missed for quite some time.
The larger than life characterization of the oceanic occupants of this ocean world really makes the fairy-tale nature of the scene come to life. This is seen not only in Tsar Morskoi, but also within the sunken ship, the crab and the gargantuan fish that smile through the bubbles. The whirling water, like tiny underwater tornados, adds a very dramatic motion to this ocean. Various sea greens, blue, mauve and white all interact magically. And the positioning of the characters is also quite interesting. Towards the top of the composition we see the sun that has water glazing over it. This is because the audience's point of view should be looking upward from the bottom of the sea!
The box is constructed from paper-mache made in the village of Kholuy. Black lacquer was used to paint the exterior of the piece while red lacquer completes the interior of the box. The box has been carved into the shape of a giant clam complete with ruffled edges. A hinge has been fastened to the top of the composition to be used for ease of opening. Both the upper and lower portions of the lid's interior have a very unique, wavy cut to them. A smaller compartment rests within the box. The lid for this compartment acts like a rounded pearl. Here, an adorable fish is painted against a sea green background, complete with bubbles and plant life. This hidden treasure is an excellent compliment for the whole.
The artist has made fine use of gold paint throughout the composition. The characters' clothes receive an ample dose as design and buckle. The clothes of Tsar Morskoi are most radiant. All of the scales of the fish, the stones of the encompassing cave structure, the shells and the jellyfish are all accentuated with the lovely gold. When the lid is opened you will find that the inner rim of the base has been patterned with a beautiful string of bold gold beads.
Upon completion of the piece the artist signs their name, the title and the village name of Kholuy along the bottom of the composition in gold paint.
Materials: Egg-tempera paint, paper-mache, gold paint and lacquer.
About Artist Kuznetsov, Alexander V.:
Alexander Kuznetsov's works are sited in these books:
I. Kamorin A. A., 1995, LACQUER MINIATURE. KHOLUY. MASTERPIECES OF RUSSIAN FOLK ART, INTERBOOK, Moscow.
1. Box "The Tale of a Fisherman and a Fish" (1992, Kholuy Craft Workshops), page 151, # 147.
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read about Kuznetsov, Alexander V.
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Item Specifications:
- Title: "Sadko 2003"
- Price: $700.00
- 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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