Show all images on one page	#007939 Title: Island of Kizhi Artist: Dmitriev Sergey Size: 24x18x5.5 Size (inches): 9.5x7x2.25 Price : $2450 SOLD!

Sergey Dmitriyev is the gifted artist who painted the scene on this box.
Here we see the pristine island preserve of Kizhi, which is situated on Lake Onega in the northern part of Russia. The island is a living museum, home to one of the most famous Russian cathedrals, the Transfiguration Cathedral. The cathedral, which is the centerpiece of this composition, was built in 1714 and does not have one nail in its entire structure. Legend has it that it was built by a master carpenter, and the only tool he used in building the structure was an ax. After completing the structure he proclaimed that he would never be able to build a more perfect structure, and in the shadow of his splendid masterpiece, tossed the ax into the lake.
Full of waterways and frozen soil the Russian North represents the rugged and wild side of Russian culture and history. Here a flock of swans flies over the breathtaking Transfiguration Cathedral, angels from heaven, gliding over the pristine landscape. Bright white light shines down from heaven, an extremely moving touch, showing the delicate balance of God's perfect creation. Dmitriyev is in fact the original author of this now popular composition, interpreted in various ways by other artists in Kholuy. This is a version painted by the originator, and thus the scene is unique to its creator.
Dmitriyev's skill is revered by collectors of his work; his ability to craft precise lines while not sacrificing any emotion is the mark of a truly great artist.
Sensitive to the range of color found in Kizhi, Dmitriyev uses a rare pallet of mellow earth tones: mint green, antique white and golden brown. Gold paint is used to highlight leaves of the trees and the plants in the foreground. It creates the beautiful decorative effect and points out that the action takes place in autumn. Gold is also decorates the buildings. Aluminum paint is used to highlight the lake, the sky, and the buildings.
The structure of the church is painted very precisely, each plank and angle defined and dimensionally shaded. The landscape is painted with smooth watercolor like brushstrokes, creating soft, rolling hillocks, gradually meeting with the dark expanse of water. The birds in the sky are the only action in the serene setting.
The box is constructed out of papier-mache. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior and red lacquer is used to paint the interior of the box. The composition is framed by a ribbon of gold and aluminum filigree, graced by gorgeous flowers, beads, and leaves. More complex design of gold and aluminum filigree wraps around the sides of the box. The lid is hinged at the top of the composition and the box rests on the four legs. The box is titled ,has the name of the artist, his signature,his status of a member of the Union of Artists of Russia and the village name of Kholui is signed in gold paint on the lid's interior of the box(2014).