Show all images on one page	#006997 Title: Mermaid Artist: Maslov Vlad Size: 15.5x19.5x5 Size (inches): 6x7.75x2 Price : $1500 SOLD!

This composition is an original master work of talented Vlad Maslov. Vlad is enchanted with the Russian folklore, and likes to paint his works on the themes of Russian fairy-tales and legends. Forest and water spirits are his favorite themes to depict. He has created such brilliant works as "Baba-Yaga", "the Water Spirit", "the Wood Spirit", "Forest Man" and many others. This box continues Maslov's favorite theme and shows a spirit and a character of some Russian tales known as Mermaid.
A mermaid is a legendary aquatic creature with the upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish. Mermaids appear in the folklore of many cultures worldwide, including the Near East, Europe, China, and India. The first stories appeared in ancient Assyria, in which the goddess Atargatis transforms herself into a mermaid out of shame for accidentally killing her human lover. Mermaids are sometimes depicted as perilous creatures associated with floods, storms, shipwrecks, and drowning. In other folk traditions (or sometimes within the same tradition) they can be benevolent, bestowing boons or falling in love with humans.
Mermaids are associated with the Sirens of Greek mythology and with the Sirenia, a biological order which comprises dugongs and manatees. Historical sightings by sailors may have been the result of misunderstood encounters with these aquatic mammals. Christopher Columbus reported seeing mermaids while exploring the Caribbean.
Mermaids have been a popular subject of art and literature in recent centuries. Danish author Hans Christian Andersen wrote his popular fairy tale "The Little Mermaid" in 1836. They have subsequently been depicted in opera, paintings, books, films, and comics.
This box depicts the mermaid came from a water.On the background of the composition we can see another mermaid , Baba Yaga flying on the broom, and a castle in a forest with other characters.
The box demonstrates Maslov's impeccable style. Blue and brown tones of oils are predominated on this composition. The most of the elements of the composition as the characters' costumes and the plants are detailed with bright gold paint. Gold and silver powders are mixed with the oils to enrich to color palette. The blades of leaves are decorated the box's sides. Pearl beads are clued to some areas of the composition.
The box is made out of paper-mache. The lid is hinged from the left of the scene, and the box rests on four wavy legs. The interior of the box is covered with red lacquer. A square piece of mother-of-pearl is glued inside the lid; on this piece Maslov has written his name and the title of the work ("Mermaid").