Show all images on one page	#001350 Title: Nastenka Artist: Soboleva Tamara Size: 8x6.5x3.5 Size (inches): 3x2.5x1.5 Price : $365 SOLD!

This portrait of a girl whose name is Nastenka was painted by T. Soboleva. The girl is dressed in the traditional Russian costume. She holds in her hands two ends of the beautiful golden ribbon that covers her head. In old times in Russia unmarried girls wore such ribbons, whereas married ones wore kerchiefs and kokoshniks (head-dress) as they were forbidden to go out bareheaded. Behind the girl extends the beautiful forest landscape.
The artist uses various color palette to show beauty and youth of the girl and elegance of the depicted season. Gold metal leaf is used to create brilliance of the ribbon. Mother-of-pearl intensifies brightness of the clear blue sky and the girl's sarafan. The artist makes fine use of the overlay method of application. At first she paints the landscape, and then covers this painting with translucent lacquer; afterwards she paints the girl's figure and again applies a layer of translucent lacquer. This procedure helps the artist to develop texture and three dimensional features throughout. A magnificent effect!
The scene is framed with a wide gold line, whereas the sides of the box are elegantly decorated with golden threads. For additional decoration the black lacquer of the box's sides and its base is mixed with blue spangles.
The box is constructed from quality paper-mache made in the village of Fedoskino. The interior of the box is covered with red lacquer, the box's exterior is covered with black lacquer. A hinge is fastened to the left of the lid. The box rests flat without feet. It is signed and titled by the artist.