Show all images on one page	#001341 Title: Ivan the widow's son Artist: Kozlov Vladimir Size: 20,7x15,6x4,5 Size (inches): 8.25x6.25x1.5 Price : $650 SOLD!

This big box painted by V. Kozlov shows several scenes from the thrilling Russian folk fairy-tale "Ivan, the widow's son". This tale tells about adventures of Ivan, the widow's son. In the left bottom part of the composition the artist paints the beginning of this tale. Ivan's stepfather has led Ivan in the forest intending to kill him. He begins to scold Ivan, and accidentally says the following words: "Go to the Wood-Goblin", and to his surprise the Wood-Goblin appears. From that moment on Ivan becomes the Wood-Goblin's servant. A little above this scene we can see the beautiful palace of Wood-Goblin where Ivan will see many wondrous things. One of them is painted in the right upper corner. It is the magic steed. It has been imprisoned in the dark cold cellar by the Wood-Goblin till Ivan releases it. Ivan and the magic steed decide to escape from the Wood-Goblin's captivity, taking another wondrous things with them: soap, a towel, a comb and gold apples from the Goblin's magic garden. In the right upper corner there is the scene that shows Ivan escaping from the Wood-Goblin. Ivan throws the comb behind his back and the impenetrable forest grows before the Goblin, blocking his way. Ivan throws the soap and the high mountain appears behind his back. Ivan throws the towel and it turns into the fire river in the waters of which the Wood-Goblin burns down. Returning to his native kingdom Ivan hears following news: the tsar has ordered to plant the garden where golden apples will grow during only three days and promises to give to a man who will fulfill this order anything he wishes. Ivan successfully fulfils the tsar's order with the help of magic steed and golden apples stolen in the Wood-Goblin's garden and decides to rest. While he sleeps, the tsar's three daughters come into the garden intending to see golden apples and accidentally come across Ivan. The youngest princess, Natalay Tsarevna, falls in love with Ivan and puts her ring on his finger. This moment of the story is shown in the right bottom corner. In the middle of the composition Ivan asks the tsar to let him marry Natalya Tsarevna. This tale ends happily: Ivan marries Natalya Tsarevna and becomes the ruler of the kingdom.
The box is painted in the traditional Mstera style. The palette is diverse; it ranges from red to blue. Almost every element of the composition is highlighted with gold. The composition is skillfully painted with a lot of details, it will be a perfect addition to any collection!
The box is constructed from paper-mache. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior of the scene while radiant red lacquer completes the interior of the piece. The edges of the lid and the box's sides are decorated with beautiful gold patterns. The box rests upon four and the lid is hinged from the top. The work is signed with the artist's name, the village of Mstera, the title ("Ivan the Widow's son"), and the year of 2002.