Show all images on one page	#002838 Title: Snowmaiden and Lel Artist: Shalaev Vladimir Ivanovich Size: 24x18x4.5 Size (inches): 9.5x7x1.75 Price : $1250 SOLD!

The intriguing artistry of Vladimir Ivanovich Shalaev is always a treat to behold. The craftsmanship he applies is a complexity of the lovely. Gorgeous colors that fade in and out of one another. Elaborate designs, unique character placement and intricate decoration. This is Mstera art. This is Vladimir Shalaev!
Anatoliy Shirokov and Alexander Gaun, Piotr Zaets (who stidied the pupils now in Mstera Art School) and many other Mstera artists called him a "Teacher" or "Ivanovich".
Here the artist has depicted a scene from the most popular Russian fairy-tales. "Snegurochka," otherwise known as "The Snowmaiden." The composition is originally designed. It is separated into three parts. In the middle of the composition we can see Lel and Snegurochka making a declaration of love to each other. A little above the artist depicts Snegurochka's parents, Fairy Spring and Father Frost. To the right from the central scene we can see another Snegurochka's suitor, Mizgir, and to the left from it there are several villagers.
The composition is filled with details including different plant life, animals, birds and forest spirits. Blue, green, and brown dominate here. Shalayev is a master of layering and this is reflected through the texture of the landscape and the leaves of the tress. Gold paints are used to to paint the stars in the sky, and also to detail the sun and the costumes of the characters.
The framing for the scene is one way to recognize a piece by Shalaev. Gorgeous gold filigree designs frame the composition on the lid, and decorate the sides of the box.
The box is constructed out of paper-mache. Black lacquer covers the exterior and red lacquer covers the interior of the box. The lid is hinged, and the box rests on four legs. The title, the word 'Mstera', the year of 2004, and the artist's signature can be found just under the composition. Beautifully done by a very collectible and hard-to-find artist.