They. There is always a they when story is involved. So much attention is paid to the it, that they usually become nothing more than secondary ingredients. They lurk. They watch. They plot. They devise. And almost certainly, they say. Here, they surround the Tsar. Answering questions, even before the questions are asked. They have ideas of their own and they don't want to appear foolish. They are responsible for this meeting, one based in confusion. However, this type of elongated riddle is more like the rain than anything else. It might be powerful. It might do some damage. But, like all rains, it shall not last forever. They might be in a bit of trouble.
This is a beautiful combination of compositional quality and a splendid array of elegant ornamentation. Inna Tikhomirova from the village of Mstera is the skill and imagination behind this colorful slice of drama. A profound aura of royalty is offered here. As an audience, the mood can be felt and seen. It takes a patient brush and an intelligent mind to create a box like this.
Egg-tempera paint is the primary medium used to compose this scene from the popular Russian fairy-tale entitled, "The Tale of Tsar Saltan." The artist did a fine job with the development of texture within the scene. This is primarily noticeable within the leaves of the trees and the swirling columns to the immediate right and left of Tsar Saltan. Although he is sketched as a simple character, it is very easy to sense the contemplation within his face. This is a very very well organized composition. It is easy to tell where the focus is, and the surroundings are the ideal compliment.
The merchants and the deceptive sisters graduate the Tsar's muddled mind into the perfect clarity of confusion. The young man, Gvidon, must be found. But, not if they have anything to do with it. The artist uses symbolism by placing the palace of Gvidon in the near background and Tsar Saltan in a thinking man's position. This displays Tsar Saltan's goal as closer than it must apparently seem.
The composition is framed with a thick band of Byzantine ornamentation that is stylish and impressive. Golden curls of the design have been filled with a caramel brown tone and a dark mustard-yellow coloration. This pattern looks wonderful next to the tiled floor and rainbow-like architecture within Tsar Saltan's palace surroundings. This ornamentation is framed with multiple strings of aluminum beads in various sizes. A more condensed version of this ornamentation wraps around all four base sides. Here, the mustard-yellow is replaced with lime green filling. A thin band of gold paint rests just below this design work and it too wraps around all four sides.
The box is constructed from paper-mache made in the village of Mstera. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior of the piece while red lacquer completes the interior of the box. A hinge has been fastened to the top of the composition to be used for ease of opening. The outermost edge of the lid and base slightly extend outward, granting the presentation a more antique appearance. The box rests upon four slightly dimpled feet. Upon completion of the piece the artist signs their name, the village name of Mstera and the title along the bottom of the composition in bright gold paint.
Materials: Egg-tempera paint, paper-mache, gold paint, aluminum paint and lacquer.
Item Specifications:
- Title: "The Tale of Tsar Saltan 2003"
- Weight: 14.6 oz 414 g
- Price: $600.00
- 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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