Show all images on one page	#001913 Title: Ruslan and Lyudmila Artist: Molodkin Vladimir Nikolaevich Size: 25x19x4.5 Size (inches): 9.75x7.5x1.75 Price : $1100 SOLD!

This enchanting piece of authentic Russian artistry was created by famous Mstera master Vladimir Molodkin. His elaborate style is well established in the lacquer community. Molodkin's works are exhibited at the All-Russia Museum of Decorative and Folk Arts in Moscow. He does much more than simply paint quality compositions. Molodkin's pieces transport us into a world of enhanced imagination. Mood altering artistry.
This composition is a conglomeration of various scenes from "Ruslan and Ludmila." The method of combining several scenes helps the artist to tell a complex story in one image. At the top of the composition the artist depicts the evil dwarf magician Chernomor hovering in the sky and kidnapping Lyudmila. In the right bottom corner, Ruslan's rivals: Rogdai, Ratmir and Farlaf, set out in search of Lyudmila. The right upper corner shows the epic battle between Ruslan and the Giant Head. Ruslan must defeat the Head in order to retrieve the blade. With that blade Ruslan must cut the magic out from within the beard of Chernomor. The left upper corner shows the wizard Chernomor's impressive palace. Inside, Ruslan's kidnapped fiancee, Ludmila, is held prisoner. A little below we can see Ruslan who is ready to kill Chernomor with his magic blade. The left bottom corner there is the old Finn who helps Ruslan to find Lyudmila. The central composition depicts Ruslan and his beloved Lyudmila returning to their native kingdom.
This palette is consistent with the soft tones that Vladimir Molodkin loves to use. Cool blues and warm yellows dominate here. The artist uses gold to enhance details throughout the composition, which takes the intensity of the palette and magnifies it to bring out the scene's true richness. All of the characters are painted to give off movement and animation that fills the scene with excitement.
The box is made of high-quality paper-mache. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior of the piece while red lacquer completes the interior of the box. The edges of the lid, and the box's sides are decorated with elegant gold patterns. The lid is hinged from the top of the composition, and the box rests on four legs. The work is signed, titled and dated (2005) by the artist.