"Beagle" Russian miniature

Artist: T. Smirnova 
Village: Palekh 
Size: 3" x 1.5"  
Year: 2009

This miniature is actually paintd on a smooth, rounded rock and was done by Palekh artist Tanya Smirnova. It features a realistic portrait of a beagle, rendered with exceptional detail and softness. The dog’s soulful eyes, velvety ears, and expressive face are beautifully captured using fine brushwork, a hallmark of her Palekh artistry but adapted here to a more naturalistic style rather than traditional folklore.

The background is a gentle sky-blue, which contrasts nicely with the beagle’s brown, black, and white coat, helping the subject stand out while keeping the tone serene. Light reflections on the glossy surface enhance the three-dimensional feel of the painting. The artist's signature and the date, 2009, appear subtly near the bottom edge.