Show all images on one page	#001140 Title: Crimean gulf Artist: Kononov Alexander Size: 15.5x11.5x5.5 Price : $390 SOLD!

This work has been painted by Alexander Kononov from Fedoskino. The famous canvas-on-oil painting called "The Mooring of watercrafts" painted in 1851 by Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky inspired the artist to create this miniature. Kononov has changed the original a little, giving free play to his own fantasy. The difference can be found in the left, lower corner of the composition. Here Kononov paints the boat tied to a pole, whereas the original version depicts the floating boat with several men on its boat; he also paints a lot of seagulls scattered about the composition; whereas in the original there are no any seagulls. As for the rest, the composition is very close to the original.(you can see the original here: http://www.elibron.com/russian/other/img_detail.phtml?msg_id=52159).
The composition is very beautiful and peaceful. The day is drawing to a close. Some ships have already been moored, while the others are coming near the bank. The setting sun highlights the mountains and the blue sky with yellow-pinkish tones. The gradual changing of tones here is amazing; the turquoise-blue tone gently flows into the bright yellow pinkish. Some mountains are pinkish, while the others are blue. Almost invisible white haze covers the mountainsides. The sea is calm; it reflects the yellow-pinkish tones of the sky, but in some areas it is light and deep blue. The artist achieves some very good textures here. The water, particularly in the foreground, looks strikingly realistic. The boats are quite well-done, with excellent form. A striking piece of mother-of-pearl in the sky is used to simulate the effect of sunlight illuminating the clouds. This shell has greenish and pink undertones that suit the rich, warm palette nicely.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. Black lacquer covers the exterior and red lacquer covers the interior of the box. The Fedoskino "troika" insignia can be found on the interior of the lid. The composition is framed with gold scrollwork. The sides of the box are adorned with beautiful gold floral patterns. The box has a hinge above the composition and rests on a flat bottom. It is signed with the name of the artist, village, and year (1999).