Show all images on one page	#005459 Title: Gardarika-the country of Russians Artist: Molodkin Vladimir Size: 24.5x20.5x5.5 Size (inches): 9.75x8x2.25 Price : $2250 SOLD!

This remarkable organization of color, detail and thematic expression was composed by the well known Mstera artist Vladimir Molodkin. The work is painted on the theme of Russian history. It is called “Gardarika is a land of the Russians”. “Gardarika” is mentioned in the Viking Sagas as a land of thousand towns, a prosperous and glorious land. But there is also an opinion that “gardarica” can be translated as a land surrounded with the fence.
Working on this composition the artist has used a beautiful combination of mild brown tones with light blue tones of tempera paints. The details are richly enhanced with brilliant gold paint. The brushwork is so intricate that it is hard to imagine a human hand is able to create such a precise drawing. Molodkin has also done a great job with the facial expressions of the depicted men. They are everything. Excited, thoughtful, curious, merry, happy, and proud of their North Land.
The box's exterior is decorated with intricate gold foliage patterns. On the box's sides these patterns are completed with bright paradise flowers painted in various tones of tempera paints. On the box's front side Molodkin has written his name and the title of the work.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior of the piece while red lacquer completes the interior of the box. The lid is hinged from the top of the composition, and rests on four legs.