This miniature (approximately 2 1/2 x 3 1/2) painting of the statue of General Greene is painted on a Russian lacquer art box.* In the Soviet Union, the icon painters switched from painting icons for the church and for individuals to painting fairy tales on lacquer, papier mâché boxes. Their work is so detailed that sometimes only one hair is used to apply paint. Gold leaf highlighting is used on the highest quality boxes.
We were shocked to see this painting of a Greensboro monument in an antique mall in the region. How touching that someone felt our city's bicentennial was a worthy replacement for the previous painting on their lacquer box. Wonder what is beneath that green paint. Would love to know the backstory!
Hard to believe that 2008 was seven years ago. (For the record Mr. GDP, we are not the new owners of this box. It is still "at large").
*Here is a link to one.
What a good find! So interesting about the iconographers who had to find a new kind of work.
Posted by: Dina | Monday, April 27, 2015 at 06:15 AM
Stunning to say the least.
Posted by: William Kendall | Monday, April 27, 2015 at 05:18 PM