Show all images on one page	#002569 Title: Ivan Tsarevich and the Grey Wolf Artist: Zakharov Sergey Size: 30.5x10.5x6 Size (inches): 12x4.25x2.25 Price : $3250 SOLD!

Sergey Zakharov has crafted this masterpiece. The amazing detail shown in the painting is a good example of how steady this artist's hand is. His ability to paint with extraordinary precision and fine detail, and his talent at painting intricate gold decorations is highly respected in Kholuy and revered throughout the world.
The box features several scenes from the Russian folk tale "Ivan Tsarevich and the Grey Wolf". The tale tells about the adventures of the Prince Ivan Tsarevich and his friend, the Grey Wolf, a magician. The Wolf ate the horse of Ivan Tsarevich and to redress a wrong, he helped Ivan in several quests: to get the firebird, to get the horse with the golden mane, and to get the beautiful princess.
The right upper corner shows Ivan Tsarevich trying to catch the Fire Bird. This bird has been filching golden apples from the orchard of Ivan's father; and the old Tsar has ordered his three sons to catch the thief. The Fire Bird breaks loose from Ivan's hands, leaving its burning feather in his hands, and flies away. But now Ivan is ready to respond his father who is the thief.
The left bottom corner depicts Ivan Tsarevich stealing the horse with the golden mane from Tsar Kusman's stable. He does it by the following reason: while he has been trying to steal the Fire Bird from Tsar Afron's palace, the tsar's guards caught him. Tsar Afron promised to release Ivan if he would manage to procure him the horse with the golden mane. Ivan Tsarevich failed to steal the horse, and Tsar Kusman's guards caught him. Now it was Tsar Kusman's turn to oblige Ivan with a new task; this time Ivan was ordered to steal the princess, Elena the Beautiful.
As Ivan Tsarevich failed in fulfilling two previous tasks, the Grey Wolf decided to steal the princess by himself. This scene is painted in the right bottom corner: the Grey Wolf steals Elena the Beautiful from Tsar Dalmat's palace, while Ivan Tsarevich sleeps peacefully.
The left upper corner shows Ivan flirting with Elena the Beautiful. He is happy; the Grey Wolf using his magic powers helped him to possess the Fire Bird, the horse with the golden mane, and the beautiful princess. From the right of this scene Zakharov depicted Ivan's envious brothers who killed him to take possession of his plunder. Above their heads we can see the raven. The Grey Wolf forced this raven to fetch the life and dead water to bring Ivan back to life.
The entire surface of the box is filled with wondrous detail. Zakharov's steady hand is able to create minute elements that are at first invisible because they blend so well with the overall scene. Close inspection must be given this piece in order to appreciate all of its complexity.
The artist uses here a palette that is characteristic of his work. Warm browns, yellows and oranges are combined with cold blues and greens. Gold paint is used to fill the scene with various details. The use of gold helps to enhance the already bold palette and bring a rich ambiance to the scene.
Zakharov's precision and ability to paint minute decoration is demonstrated in the filigree that frames the scene and the filigree that wraps around the sides of the box. It is the perfect complement to the intricacy found in the painting.
The box is constructed out of paper-mache. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior and red lacquer is used to paint the interior of the box. The box has a hinge located above the composition and rests on four feet. The artist wrote the title, Kholuy, 2006, and his name under the composition. He did the same on the interior of the lid, but added that this work is his own original creation and left a more decorative signature.