Show all images on one page	#002166 Title: Falling Stars Artist: Molodkin Vladimir Size: 19x15x4 Size (inches): 7.5x6x1.5 Price : $850 SOLD!

This delightful piece was created by well-known Mstera artist Vladimir Molodkin. His elaborated style of painting is quite evident here. Molodkin has created high energy while obtaining that honest sense of genuine artistry. Molodkin has been able to carry on the tradition of this medium through his sons, who are also accomplished Russian lacquer artists, going by the names of Daniil and Denis. Molodkin's works are exhibited at the All-Russia Museum of Decorative and Folk Arts in Moscow ("Iliya Muromets") and at the Russian Museum ("Messenger", "Battle in the sky", "My grandfathers").
The work is called "Falling Stars", but in spite of this original title the work is based on the fairy-tale "Snowmaiden". It is enough to glance at the piece to understand it. In the left bottom corner Lel plays his flute. In the center the Snowmaiden, Mizgir and another lads and girls sing and dance in a ring to the accompaniment of Lel's music. In the background Tsar Berendey sits inside his palace. In the left upper corner there is Father Frost who is the Snowmaiden's father, while in the right upper corner we can see Fairy Spring who is her mother. Not the sun but the moon throws its rays upon the Snowmaiden; these rays are decorated with dozens of white and gold stars, and it can explain the title of the work.
The composition is originally designed. The main scene is divided into two parts. The left side that is under influence of Father Frost features the winter season; while the right side influenced by the depiction of Fairy Spring shows the summer season. The main scene is semicircular, so all characters and trees depicted in the corners are located beyond the boundaries of it.
Various shades of blue and green dominate here. Molodkin uses gold and aluminum contours to enhance the characters clothing and to highlight the landscape.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior of the piece while a brilliant red lacquer completes the interior of the box. The edges of the lid and the box's sides are decorated with beautiful gold and aluminum ornamentation. A hinge is fastened to the top of the composition, and the box rests on a flat bottom. The work is signed, and titled by the artist.