Show all images on one page	#001911 Title: Catherine The Great Artist: Dmitriev Sergey Size: 24x18x5 Size (inches): 9.5x7.25x5 Price : $1150 SOLD!

This wonderful large box is painted by the experienced artist Sergey Dmitriev. The subject of this box is dedicated to Catherine the Great who is justly considered to be one the brightest, talented and extraordinary personalities in the history of Russia. Being German by birth she managed to became the Empress of Russian and gain respect and sincere love of Russian people. Dethroning her husband, Peter Feodorovich, she seized power and became the Empress of Russia. She was a highly educated personality who was in correspondence with Voltaire and other French enlighteners. The time of her rule was a time of awakening of scientific, literary, and philosophic interests in Russian society. She also was a talented politician. In the period of her rule Russia gained a victory over the Turks and as a result of it the territory of Russia considerably increased. Brilliant victories of the Russian Army and Fleet made Russia a superior European power.
This composition is called "The regal procession of Catherine the Great". Catherine is riding in a carriage driven by angels along the bridge. The angels are blowing the horns, glorifying the Empress. Some of them are throwing multicolored flowers on Catherine and on the bridge she is riding along. In the background the artist depicts the picturesque sights of St. Petersburg. We can see here some of the most elegant buildings of the city. (from left to right) The Savior On the Blood Cathedral, just below it we see the Hermitage, the Admiralty Spire and the St. Isaac's Cathedral are next to the Hermitage. In the right upper corner the Stock Exchange is depicted and in the right bottom corner we can see the St. Peter and Paul Fortress.
The composition is mostly painted in light brown and gray tones. This beautiful palette is successfully chosen to portray the architecture of the city, and also it gives a stylized view of the sky, water, and the troika scene in the foreground. The classic sail powered ships give the composition a feeling of nostalgia and history. Gold is used to outline and detail features throughout the composition, adding to the sparkling appeal of the work.
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. Gold scrollwork frames the composition and beautiful gold ornamentation accentuated with aluminum wraps around the sides of the box. A hinge is fastened to the top of the composition. The box rests on four rounded feet. It is signed with the artist's name, village, and title.