Show all images on one page	#004580 Title: Ruslan and Ludmila Artist: Wagner Marie Size: 10.5x13.5x2.5 Size (inches): 4x5.25x1 Price : $950 SOLD!

Created by one of the true Fedoskino Masters, Maria Wagner, this beautiful lacquer box is titled "Ruslan and Ludmila", from the epic poem by Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. The artist has painted a scene on the box's lid and a scene on the base of the piece, depicting the most important plot points in the story. On the lid we can see Chernomor's servants endowing Ludmila with rich presents. But she doesn't want any presents as she misses her dear Ruslan. This is only several minutes before she is kidnapped by the evil dwarf Chernomor. On the box's base Wagner has painted Chernomor kidnapping Lyudmila.
Texture and depth come from years of experience and hours of exacting patience and skill. The artist has layered several areas of her artistry in order to create rich three dimensional imagery. The stained glass window and the peacock on the box's lid, and the costumes of all characters are all painted with this profound quality. This is achieved by painting an image, covering it with a clear coat of lacquer and then painting another image on top of it. The end result is quite gorgeous.
Wagner gets imaginative with her luxuriant style. The artist uses gold, aluminum powder and oil paints mixed with crushed mother-of-pearl in order to enhance elements of the composition. The color seems to float within the lacquer.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. The exterior of the box imitates a stone color (silver veins mixed with blue oils cover the black lacquered surface) while red lacquer completes the interior of the work. The lid is hinged from the left of the scene, and the box rests on a flat bottom. The work is signed with the artist's name.