Show all images on one page	#001593 Title: Stenka Razin Artist: Fomichov Lev Alexandrovich(b.1932) Size: 17x12x3 Size (inches): 6.5x4.75x1 Price : $750 SOLD!

During the reign of Tsar Alexis (1645-76), the Russian government was in desperate financial straits. Attempting to improve matters by debasing the silver coinage with copper in 1656 only led to inflation, further financial dislocation, and the huge "copper coin riot" of 1662. But the greater and more memorable rebellion of the time was led by Stenka (or Stepan) Razin from 1670-1671. Razin was the commander of a band of Don Cossacks who gained initial notoriety by leading raids into Persia and other lands along the Caspian Sea and the lower Volga River.
In the spring of 1670, Razin began a more ambitious undertaking, moving up the Volga and proclaiming freedom from officials and landlords. His voice was heard, and he was joined by native tribes and the Russian masses. Razin advanced up the river, massacring members of the upper classes, and welcoming the common people. Although his supporters grew to 20,000 strong, the movement was plagued by poor organization and lack of discipline, which helped the regular Moscow troops defeat them. Razin escaped back to the Don, but in the spring of 1671 he was seized by Cossack authorities and handed over the Muscovite officials to be publicly executed.
Although not the first revolutionary in Russia, Razin became a folk hero, inspiring other rebellions, such as the famous uprising led by the Don Cossack Emelian Pugachev. His deeds were also remembered during the Bolshevik revolution of 1917. Razin was remembered by the Russian people in tales, stories, and art. He is remembered again in this sober sober lacquer miniature by Mstera master artist Lev Fomichov.
Nearly seventy years old, Fomichov still mixes his paints with rocks and other materials that he has gathered himself. This particular piece is dominated by yellows and browns, which give it a rustic, aged look. The deep blue tones used in the water wonderfully compliment the color selection. The scene features Razin in the foreground, who throws his sweetheart into the river. Razin loved this girl very much and the soldiers of his army noticed it. They started to reproach their leader that after love affair with the Persian beauty he became quite and weak and lost characteristics of a leader. To restore trust of his soldiers Razin threw his sweetheart into the waters of Volga River.
The composition is thinly outlined in gold. Fomichov has then demonstrated his master hand and painted a unique and expert floral patterns around the composition. The sides of the box are decorated with a superb and original patterns painted in gold and tempera paints. The lid is hinged from the top of the scene, and the box rests on a flat bottom. This piece is truly by a master artist, and warrants a space in any lacquer box collection. (Mstera)