Show all images on one page	#002528 Title: Dobrynya the Matchmaker Artist: Fomichov Lev Alexandrovich(b.1932) Size: 24x18x4.5 Size (inches): 9.5x7.25x1.75 Price : $1450 SOLD!

The style and quality of Mstera master Lev Fomichyov is immediately recognizable. Each piece seems an epic work, and the results of his expert hand is felt at first sight. One the most decorated and renowned Mstera miniaturist still painting, Lev Fomichyov has already left a brilliant legacy that can be enjoyed not only in books and museums, but in collections around the world.
One of Fomichyov's favorite themes to paint are historical subjects and bylinas, or Russian folk epics. This piece shows several scenes from the ancient Russian legend "Dobrynya the Matchmaker" based on real historical events.
It is well known that Prince Igor was cruelly killed in 945 by the ancient tribe Drevlyane. Igor's wife, the Princess Olga, revenged severely for her husband's death. The towns of the Drievlyane were burned, and the boyars burned down in a huge hole. But the Princess had pity on a daughter and a son of the town of Malin's (one of the towns founded by the Drevlyane) governor, because they were very little: Dobrynya was about five years old, and his sister Malusha just began to go. Later Olga made Malusha a housekeeper of her court yard. Dobrynya became one of her guards.
Sometimes life plaits surprising strings: the housekeeper, Malusha became the wife of Olga's son, the grand duke Svyatoslav, and from this love Vladimir was born. With him Kiev Russia reached its dawn and greatness. Except Vladimir, Svyatoslav had other sons. They were Yaropolk and Oleg.
Prince Svyatoslav organized military campaigns against the Khazars and Pecheniegs (ancient tribes) and won them. But once his camp was attacked by the Pecheniegs (ancient tribe), and Svyatoslav was killed in the fight. After his death his sons began the civil war, as each of them wanted to be the ruler of ancient Rus. During their skirmishes Oleg was killed, Yaropolk was in Kiev, and Vladimir - in Novgorod. Each of them needed a support of the powerful Polotsk prince Rogvolod. As a result each of them tried to marry his daughter Rogneda. At that time Rognieda was only twelve years old, but, nevertheless, she was considered as a bride. Yaropolk was the first who sent his matchmakers in the Polotsk Principality to ask Rogneda's hand in marriage. And very soon Vladimir sent his matchmakers, too. Continuation of the brothers' struggle would be the best exit for the Polotsk Principality. It would strengthen the role of Polotsk. But Rogvolod could not accept a marriage proposal of both brothers and he had to make a choice. As Rogvolod thought, Novgorod had not any chances to win the civil war and, by the order of her father Rognieda gave her agreement to the matchmakers of Yaropolk. Vladimir received a refusal.
The annals tell that Vladimir governed in Novgorod, and there was his uncle Dobrynya. He was a talented commander, and a brave warrior. He sent the matchmakers to Rogvolod and asked his daughter: