Show all images on one page	#004888 Title: Unicorn Artist: Kuznetsov Viktor Size: 12.5x17.5x3 Size (inches): 5x6.75x1.25 Price : $950 SOLD!

This intriguing composition was composed by the talented Viktor Kuznetsov of Mstera. Well orchestrated colors develop the surrealistic imagery within. A potent palette of powerful radiance. A dream-like combination of passionate design and finely executed animation. Theme that is as unique as it is thought provoking.
The work is called "Unicorn", and shows one of the legends connected with this mythical animal. It has the body of a horse and the long horn on its forehead. The earliest images (wall paintings) of unicorns were discovered in ancient towns in India. Unicorns are mentioned in Chinese, Moslem, and even Russian folklores (XVI-XVII centuries). In Greek and Roman cultures unicorns appeared as real animals. Julius Caesar in his "Gallic War" wrote that he saw a unicorn in the forest not far from the Rhine River. In Middle Ages a unicorn was a symbol of strength, purity, immaculacy and virginity. There is a legend connected with this fact. It tells that only a virgin can domesticate a unicorn. There are many medieval tapestries depicting a virgin with a unicorn sleeping on her knees. The most famous of them is "The Virgin and The Unicorn" (X century) exhibited in the Kluni Museum in Paris.
This box also features this medieval subject focusing the viewer's attention on the virgin reading a book and two unicorns. In the right upper and left bottom corners another sacred animals, the lion and the deer, are depicted. In the left upper corner the artist paints the tsar drinking from the magic horn of unicorn. It was considered that a horn of unicorn could remove any poison from the liquid and also could make a man healthy.
The palette is filled with an array of colors that do not come in conflict with each other. Soft yellows, oranges and greens dominate here. Fine golden contours outline and show the artist's ability for precision as well.
The scene is framed with golden ornament. At the bottom of the composition the artist writes in gold the village of Mstera, the title ("Unicorn") and his surname.
We can add up following description: "Unicorn is the father of all animals. It lives underground, and neither stone mountains nor fast rivers can't hold it, when he goes out of his underground dwelling it searches anyone to battle with, a lion, or anyone else… only a virgin sitting under the tree can catch and domesticate it."
The box is made out of paper-mache. Black lacquer covers the exterior and red lacquer covers the interior of the box. Around the sides of the box the artist leaves an incredible gold floral design. The bottom border of the box is adorned with gold beads. The box has a hinge to the left and rests on four rounded feet.