"The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh ". A Casket
Kholuy, Ivanovo Oblast. 1973
- Papier-mâche, tempera, gold, varnish, painting. 19,2 х 25,8 х 4
- ОНИ/Р-4291
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Location in museum
The Rossi Wing
Open the panorama of the hall in the virtual tour
Room 9 , Showcase 2 - Period Late 20th century – 21st century
- CategoryMythological Subject
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Using their icons and, to a certain extent, the experience of Palekh as a guide, the artists of Kholuy created a variety of compositions for genre, fairy-tale and historical scenes, placing them in the black background or in a landscape.
Compositions can consist of episodes from different time of action, just like it was in the Old Russian icon-painting.
The miniature "The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh" is painted on the lid of a large rectangular casket. The counter motion of the antagonistic forces of Russians and Tatars is deployed around the lake. Through the streams and curls of the waves of the lake, one can see the blue-whitish sunken Kitezh. The poetic nature of the legend has found the appropriate expressive means. The theme itself is connected with the heroic past of Russia.