”RUSSIAN DANCE FANTASY” is an Authentic Signed and Dated (1995) Ari Roussimoff Tempera Painting on heavy European Textured Paper, measuring 18 x 24 inches. “RUSSIAN DANCE FANTASY” is a Whimsical Fable-Like Interpretation of Old Mother Russia. This Fanciful Gem is a Nostalgic Journey back to another age. The Grand Age of Balalaika Music and Magnificent and Opulent Palaces and Churches. Here a Cossack merrily dances the "Kazachok" atop a self-portrait of the artist, whose head is swollen with inspiration from the Russian Folk Culture that is so close to his heart. All the aritifacts and figures come alive with the dance, the juggler balancing the church, the trees, and even a balloon aloft in the sky. This Musical and Mirthful Work captures the Very Heart and Soul of Russian and Slavic Traditions and the Romance of Russian Lore. The Joyous Spirit that runs through this Artwork is what is called "Russkoye Dusha", or in other words "Russian Soul". This Wonderful Painting, rendered in Glowing Magical Colours, belongs to the later series of Intricately Executed Russian Fantasy Tempera Works that Roussimoff was painting out of his home in Amsterdam, Holland. It is an excellent example of the Artist's Famous and Well-Beloved Eastern European Folk Scenes. There is a Wealth of Happiness and Excitement here! What also makes this work so extraordinary, is that it was painted in the spirit of many of the great "Old Masters" using tempera paint on a special heavy high-quality textured paper. This fabulous but painstaking technique, to which the Old Masters had added egg whites, is today considered a lost art form. Very few modern artists are capable of mastering the true craft of Tempera Painting. The late Ben Shahn was one of the very few who had mastered and also specialized in the Tempera medium. Ari Roussimoff has also succeeded in mastering this highly regarded technique. In depicting the most intricate and delicate details, the artist uses Tempera with the very same proficiency that he does oil colours. He applies layers of glazes to bring out the subtle, yet glowing and poetic colour scheme.This is a Work that will surely add much Life to any Room and Collection.

"RUSSIAN DANCE FANTASY"

Tempera Painting by Ari Roussimoff