Show all images on one page	#008388 Title: Dragon the Gorynich Artist: Nechaev Oleg Size: 22x15x7 Size (inches): 8.75x6x2.75 Price : $1650 SOLD!

Oleg Nechaev is the accomplished artist responsible for this alluring piece of radiant Russian artistry.
The artist has chosen to depict the legendary Bogatyr warrior known as Dobrynya Nikitich. He is known primarily for his dramatic battles with dragons. Once upon a far away Holy Russia, Nikitich killed the young of a wicked she-dragon named Gorynich. The mother of Nikitich, Amelfia Timofeyevna, warned him never to return to the Sorochinsk Mountains where the dragon lived or the mysterious waters of the river Puchai. Nikitich ignored his mother's warning and he was soon back in dragon hunting country within the month.
Soon enough, Dobrynya Nikitich was swimming in the lukewarm waters of the river Puchai. He dove as deep as he could. But, as he rose to the surface, he noticed an odd light above the water. When his head broke through the water he encountered a layer of fire and smoke, the likes of which he'd never seen before! It was the she-dragon Goryshche! He swam quickly to the other side of the river, unfortunately without his clothes! Once on shore, he found a priest's hat that he knew he could use as the perfect shield. It was a swift battle. Nikitich had the dragon begging for mercy and the two of them made a deal. Nikitich said that he'd never again come to these parts while the dragon promised to never again steal or kill anything within the borders of Holy Russia.
After some traveling, Dobrynya Nikitich returned home. He returned home to find disaster! The she-dragon did not live up to her end of the deal!
Instead, the dragon kidnapped Princess Zabava, who was the favorite niece of the powerful Prince Vladimir the Bright Sun who ruled over this land. Vladimir was outraged once he found out that it was Nikitich that let the dragon live in the first place! Vladimir demanded that Nikitich kill the dragon, rescue the Princess or suffer a brutal beheading! Nikitich traveled back to the mountains of Sorochinsk with a horse given to him by his mother. Eventually, he met the she-dragon again!
Words were hardly needed, and the two of them fought violently for three straight days! Finally, the dragon was killed. Nikitich then unlocked a cavern filled with cells holding several of the hard working peasants of Holy Russia. Princess Zabava was in the final cell unlocked! Dobryna had won, but then he was stranded in a lake made from the spilled blood of the dragon. Luckily, Mother Nature witnessed the whole affair and she created a crevice to drain the blood. A hero is always rewarded...
The painting within the scene is exceptional. The design is medieval and the colors are fascinating. There is ample texture within the scales of the dragon and all of the clothing of the characters. The left composition depicts Dobrynya Nikitich as he finishes off the dragon. And to the right we see Vladimir as he hopes beyond hope for Princess Zabava's safe return on a horse with warrior Dobrynya Nikitich.
The scene is mostly painted in contrast oils-blacks on white.The artist masterfully used golden foil and golden paint to richly highlighted the details of the characters. The box's exterior is decorated with so called "scan patterns" composed of tiny beads and romps hand punched from silver metal sheets and then painstakingly affixed by hand to the box.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior of the box while red lacquer completes the interior of the work. The lid is hinged to the top of the scene, and rests flat. Signed with the artist's name and title "Dragon the Garynich" under the composition.