Show all images on one page	#001231 Title: Tale of Ivan Tsarevich and the Grey Wolf Artist: Strunina Tatiana Size: 7x7x6 Price : $225 SOLD!

Tatyana Strunina from Mstera is the talented artist responsible for this colorful presentation. Observing this box is like looking deep into an aquarium filled with tropical fish. The coloration captures the eye while the scenery holds each character in a uniquely sentimental way. The artist uses gold paint to accent the composition and make a viewer want to be attracted to it. Every detail is delicately manipulated for a great overall effect.
The subject of the composition is based on the popular Russian folk tale "Ivan Tsarevich and the Grey Wolf". The tale tells about the adventures of the Prince Ivan Tsarevich and his companion the Grey Wolf, a magician. After the wolf ate Ivan's horse, they became partners in crime. The wolf felt sorry for Ivan, and he helped him in his quest to get Elena to be his bride. The Gray Wolf even helps Ivan when his brothers murder him and throw his remains in a bucket, out to sea. When the wolf gets the waters of life and death, Ivan is able to be alive again and go back to avenge his brothers. It is only then that Elena is able to marry the man she truly loves. Who knows if this would have happened if the Gray Wolf would not have been hungry the day Ivan's horse crossed its path.
The multi-scened composition shows several events seemingly taking place simultaneously and within close proximity. This is in fact an icon painting device that disregards time and space in order to more fully tell the story. The scene depicted on the lid shows the episode when Ivan Tsarevich steals the firebird from the Tsar Afron. This bird has been filching golden apples from the orchard of Ivan's father; and the old Tsar has ordered his three sons to fetch this bird. Only Ivan has managed to fulfill the task of his father. The scenes on the box's sides show another episodes from this tale. Ivan Tsarevich steals the horse with a golden mane from the Tsar Kusman. He does it by the following reason: the Tsar Afron caught Ivan when he was trying to steal the firebird and ordered him to steal the horse with a golden mane from the Tsar Kusman. Then follows the scene showing the Wolf stealing Elena the Beautiful. He does it by the order of the Tsar Kusman who caught Ivan when he was trying to steal his horse and ordered Ivan to fetch him Elena the Beautiful. After Ivan's two unfortunate attempts of stealing, the Wolf decides to seal Elena by himself. Then we can see the happy end of this story: the wedding of Ivan and Elena the Beautiful. The following scene casts us to the middle of the tale: Ivan's elder brothers are trying to steal Elena from Ivan Tsarevich. The last scene shows Ivan, who is the owner of all three wonders