A magical and brilliant Mstera Fantasy on a large and highly polished Russian lacquer box painted in 2001
- by the talented and imaginative Mstera Master Yuri Ikonnikov -
signed and titled "In an Unknown Kingdom", measuring 8.35 x 6.22 x 1.30 inches (21.20 x 15.80 x 3.30 cm).
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The egg-tempera color palette shown here is very distinctive and can be immediately recognized as Ikonnikov's work : Contrasting cool and warm tones give the piece a dynamic brilliance.
The composition itself is laid out like an icon, which shows no regard for space and proportions and follows a strictly two-dimensional perspective.
Ikonnikov of Mstera (Mstiora) is a masterful colorist with excellent brushwork and line integrity. He also uses leaf-gold with subtle dexterity and skill to add golden highlights throughout the painting, and on the intricate ornamental filigree gold pattern that runs all around the sides of the box.
