Prince Ivan has saved the day once again. He has captured the Firebird's feather. He has ridden the Gray Wolf to rescue Yelena the Fair, and has eaten apples with her while falling in love at the same time. On the front side Ivan is shown carrying Yelena back to his father's kingdom with the Gray Wolf right at his side. However, he is not out of danger yet. His jealous brothers will slay him, but the Gray Wolf will retrieve the waters of life and apples of youth that save him.
Egg-tempera paint is the main medium used to paint each of the nine compositions on the box. Each painting is very colorful and contains Shirokov's distinct miniature painting style, with tremendous life and movement. Good technique, sense of balance, and linear structuring make each scene a feast for the eyes. Not only is the style executed well, but the color combinations that transition from one area to another provides an aesthetic foundation for the box. Gold paint is used in each composition, but in very subtle amounts that attract light and bring to life the colors that surround the gold.
Shirokov paints wonderful decoration around each scene. The scene on the lid is framed with gold scrollwork accented with blue beads. The designs on the sides of the box are egg-tempera patterns that are outlined with gold paint. All in all these decorations add beautiful richness to the box, which enhances the action in each of the scenes.
The box is constructed out of paper-mache made in the village of Mstera. Black lacquer covers the exterior and red lacquer covers the interior of the box. The upper section of the casket it hinged, and the box rests on four decoratively carved feet. Shirokov's personal/Mstera insignia can be found on the bottom of the box in gold paint, along with the title and his name. He has also signed and titled the composition on the top of the box.
Materials: paper-mache, egg-tempera paint, gold paint, aluminum paint, and lacquer.
About Artist Shirokov, Anatoliy Ivanovich:
Anatoliy Ivanovich was born in 1954 in the village of Bolshoi (Big) Ramen in the Vyaznik region of Vladimir, Russia. He attended the Mstera Art School, where he studied under Shaleav Vladimiur Ivnaovich before graduating in 1978. As an established and well-known artist, he joined the Russian Federation Union of Artists in 1990.
According to Shirkov, his art reflects the influence of Stroganoff and thinks it is also similar to Simon Ushakov's work. However, he is a very unique miniaturist not only in his style, but also in his approach to painting. It is surprising to know that Shirkov never uses any magnifying device to achieve his microscopic detail! Although he paints a variety of t
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read about Shirokov, Anatoliy Ivanovich
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Item Specifications:
- Title: "Ivan and the Gray Wolf 2001"
- Price: $2600.00
- 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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