Show all images on one page	#006804 Title: The Temple of Christ the Savior Artist: Knyazev Sergey Size: 18x13x2.5 Size (inches): 7x5x1 Price : $4250 SOLD!

This heavenly piece of exquisite Russian artistry was composed by the talented Sergey Knyazev. The box continues the artist's series of works dedicated to old Russian towns, and shows a glorious sight of the Temple of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
This magnificent building is located in the center of Moscow, not far from the Kremlin. It was constructed on a vow given by sovereign Alexander I in gratitude for saving fatherland "from the Gauls invasion". On September 10, 1839 the solemn laying of the present temple in Russian-Byzantian style took place. It was constructed under the project of architect K.A. Ton, at the expense of the Treasury with attraction of people's donations. The temple was consecrated on April 10, 1883 during the days of crowning of the emperor Nikolay I. Architect K.Ton realized the project of a five-domed temple with a big central and four angular turrets with 14 bells. The banners and keys of the conquered cities were transferred to the temple. First electric street lamps in Moscow appeared on the square in front of the temple. The height of the temple was 103 m. On December 5, 1931 the temple was blown up. Subsequently the foundation ditch was used for the construction of swimming - pool " Moscow ". In 1994 the pool was closed. On January 1995, the solemn laying of the revived temple took place. Now the temple has an active museum where excursions are held and the viewing platform is arranged.
The architecture is painted with photo quality accuracy. The surrounding landscape is painted with smooth watercolor like brush strokes. To enliven the monotonous blue-gray palette of the composition, the artist enhances some of the details with gold and aluminum paint. The result is stunning!
The scene is framed with a gold line.On the edge of the lid the artist has wrote Pushkin's words:
Renaissance.
The colors that are alien for us, with years are faded as an old squame,
And the creation of a genius is coming out to us with the same beauty...
With this words Sergey Knyazev wanted to tell us that the re-built Temple is even better than it was.
The box's sides and the whole exterior are decorated with a mixture of the golden paints.
Large pieces of mother-of-pearl that shimmer with delicate blue, and pink undertones shine brightly through the sky, the trees, and the walls of the cathedral. Some elements of the composition as cupolas of the cathedrals, the grass and the trees painted in the foreground are drawn in gold paint. Silver powder, mother-of-pearl and gold paint also help to fill the composition with three dimensional depth.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. The interior is completed with dark red lacquer. A hinge is fastened to the top of the composition. The box rests on a flat bottom. The work is signed, tittled and dated (2012) by the artist on the inside of the lid.