Show all images on one page	#001883 Title: The Snow Queen Artist: Poturayko Larisa Boleslavovna Size: 17x13.5x3.5 Size (inches): 6.75x5.25x1.25 Price : $1650 SOLD!

This beautiful box featuring a scene from the story of "The Snow Queen" was painted by Larisa Poturayko. Larisa is one of Kholuy's most gifted artists. Her style over the years has developed into a mature and precise blend of learned techniques and natural talent. Her hand has the steadiness of a surgeon's and her artistic decisions are made based on what is best for the painting within the context of the theme.
The box features the beginning of the tale. Kay and Gerda sit in the warm sitting-room of their grandmother. In the background behind Gerda's back there is the bush of roses that symbolizes love of Kay and Gerda. In the left bottom corner we can see the evil dwarf who broke a magic mirror above the world that let out all of the ugliness, and those who were affected by it became wicked and noticed in everything only its bad sides. Poor Kay got a piece of this mirror stuck in his eye. Since then he fell under influence of Snow Queen. The central part of the composition shows the Snow Queen alluring Kay with beautiful toys made out of ice. The boy is enchanted with these toys, as his heart has glazed over with ice. Soon he will forget Gerda, and his grandmother; soon he will live in the icy palace of the Snow Queen. Gerda loves Kay very much, and sets out in search of him. Different people, birds and animals help her like the old Raven and his wife depicted in the right bottom corner. Gerda's love is so strong that it melts the ice on Kay's heart. In the left part of the composition the artist depicted G.H. Anderson, the author of this thrilling tale.
The left part of the composition that features Kay, Gerda and the fireplace are painted in warm tones, whereas the right part is painted in cold tones that help to convey the wintry setting in the tale. Poturaiko uses aluminum and gold paints to fill in and outline details with a delicate touch.
The box is made out of paper-mache made. Black lacquer covers the exterior and red lacquer covers the interior of the box. Gold ornamentation with aluminum accents frames the composition, and wrap around the sides of the box. This decoration is the perfect complement to the scene because of its intricate nature that leaves its viewer breathless. The box is hinged from the top of the composition and rests on four legs. The artist wrote Kholuy, the title, the confirmation that this work is the artist's original and her name on the interior of the lid.