Show all images on one page	#001823 Title: Church on the Nerl River Artist: Knyazev Sergey Size: 13.5x11x2 Size (inches): 5.25x4.25x0.75 Price : $795 SOLD!

This beautiful box was created by the talented S. Knyazev from the village of Fedoskino. It shows the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Nerl River. Built in 1165 by the Prince Andrey Bogolyubsky, it is one of the most poetic structures of Ancient Russia. It is situated in the flooded meadows at the confluence of the Nerl and Klyazma rivers in the village of Bogolyubovo, Vladimir Region. According to the legend, Andrey Bogolyubsky built this cathedral after the death of his son, Izyaslav.
The composition is painted in subtle blue tones over large pieces of mother-of-pearl. Mother-of-pearl beautifully decorates the piece, creating the brilliance of the skies, the river, the sun and the cathedral. Gold paints are used to detail the foliage of the trees and the plants depicted throughout the composition. Aluminum paint is used to highlight the sky, the architecture and the surrounding landscape. Here the artist makes supreme usage of the overlay method of application. This is done by painting one particular portion of the piece, thinly coating it with clear lacquer and then continuing on with the compositional process. By doing this, the artist creates three dimensional depth, perspective and beautiful texture. The composition is dream-like. A fantasy of architecture!
The composition is framed with originally painted gold patterns. The similar patterns decorate the border of the small platform on which the box rests. The lid is hinged from the left of the composition.
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 mixed with gold spangles.
Knyazev adds an inscription to the interior of the lid. Here, we see the title of the work, the artist's name, the village name of Fedoskino, and the date of completion being 2005.