Show all images on one page	#009783 Title: By the pike's Will/ Emelya and the Magic Pike Artist: Zakharov Sergey Size: 21x8x4.5 Size (inches): 8.25x3.25x1.75 Price : $2250 SOLD!

The Honored Artist of Russia, Sergey Zakharov of Kholuy, who painted this piece, has a very distinct style that can immediately be recognized by the minute details and his color usage. The palette incorporates a myriad of bright paints from the cool and warm ends of the spectrum. He uses them in perfect harmony, alternating tones and hues in all the right places. Almost every element of the composition is abundantly detailed with gold paint.
This complex multi-figured composition is based on the Russian Folk fairy tale "By the pike's Will" or sometimes also called "Emelya and the Magic Pike".
Emelya is an interesting character. Not in the sense of being a key player in a story, but he is just a character in the figurative sense. His simple view on life and his lazy disposition have always gotten him in trouble. But now with the power that has befallen him he can make the most of his days by simply saying,
By the pike's will, by my own request...
and whatever he said after those words would magically happen.
In this scene Emelya has made it to the Tsar's court in the kingdom's central palace. The Tsar is infuriated with Emelya's luck and power. He has also received numerous complaints from the kingdom's residents and the soldiers to the left are about to take Emelya away. However, when the Tsar's daughter steps in and falls in love with Emelya, the Tsar decides to spare him and let them marry, but after the wedding he puts them in a barrel, seals it, and throws it out to sea. Emelya uses his power to free himself and his wife. As they approached the palace Emelya requested that a palace be built opposite the Tsar's, and it happened. The couple, after receiving forgiveness and blessings from the Tsar, lived the rest of their days without a care in the world, all because of the magic pike.
The scene consists of three different focal points: the Tsar and his court with his daughter in the background, Emelya on the stove, and the soldiers. To the left of these central scenes Emelya catches the magic pike, and to the right of them Emelya goes to the forest chop firewood sitting on the cart which drives by itself. This piece is truly a gem, and the reference made with "facet," appropriately describes the effort it took to fashion this scene into the masterpiece of art Sergey Zakharov has let out into the world.
The box is made out of paper-mache made in Kholuy. Black lacquer covers the exterior and red lacquer covers the interior of the box.
Zakharov decorates the exterior with ornamentation that complements the ultra-thin line construction in the scene. It is done in gold and aluminum and its linear integrity is never compromised.
The box has a hinge above the scene and rests on four feet. The artist writes the title, Kholuy, 2023, and his signature at the bottom of the scene. He also does so on the interior of the lid, but adds that this is a creative original and decorative signature, which he paints with gold upon completion of the box.