Show all images on one page	#003211 Title: Pushkin's Tales Artist: Shirokov Anatoliy Size: 16.5x11.5x12.5 Size (inches): 6.5x4.5x5 Price : $1350 SOLD!

This highly attractive piece of genuine Russian artistry was created by established Mstera master Anatoliy Shirokov. His compositions are highly dramatic extensions of his intelligence and imagination. The artist lets his palette do most of the talking for his presentations. These are the colors that dance to the music that is the story line and the characters within.
The work is called “Pushkin's Tales”, and shows some episodes from various Pushkin's literary creations. The box has four scenes around the body, and one scene painted on the lid.
On the lid Shirokov has painted the portrait of Alexander Pushkin, and a famous scene from the introduction to the poem “Ruslan and Lyudmila”. Here we can see the old oak with the golden chain hanging down its branches; the clever cat walking on this chain, the mermaid, Baba-Yaga riding her magic mortar, thirty three bogatyrs with their uncle Chernomor, and Lydmila imprisoned by the wicked wizard.
The front side shows several episodes from “Ruslan and Lydmila”. Here we can see Ruslan who returns to his native kingdom together with Lydmila; Lyudmila's father who is happy to see that his daughter is saved from captivity; Ruslan's rival, Farlaf, who intends to kill Ruslan; and Ruslan battling with Chernomor.
On the left side Shirokov has painted a scene from “The Tale of Golden Cockerel”: Tsar Dadon returns to his kingdom with the Shemakha Queen intending to marry her.
On the right side there is a scene from “The Tale of Magic Fish”: the old man has caught the golden fish that may realize any capricious desire of his greedy wife.
The rear side shows a scene from “The Tale of Tsar Saltan”. Tsar Saltan is approaching the wondrous island on board of his ship. He is met by Prince Gvidon and his wife, Princess Swan.
Each scene is decorated with the intricate gold and aluminum ornamentation accompanied by additional miniatures painted on the theme of a depicted tale.
To paint this work Shirokov has used his usual color palette composed of turquoise blues, yellows, greens and reds, and also lustrous gold paint to enhance various details throughout the scenes.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior of the piece while a radiant red lacquer completes the interior of the box. The lid is hinged, and the box rests on legs.