This large plaque depicts the closing moments of the fairy tale "The Snow Maiden" when Mizgir and the Snow Maiden declare their love for each other, and as fate would have it, the Snow Maiden melts and dissolves into the rays of the sun. The Snow Maiden was warned by Father Frost and the kind and loving Faery Spring not to find love in the earthly realm, lest her time come to an end here. But she yearned to experience the feeling anyway, and eventually she found it in Mizgir (who actually loved her at first sight). Mizgir is on his knees in the center next to her, in complete despair that his true love will be leaving him forever. Later, unable to endure it anymore, he will throw himself into a lake. A classic tragedy brought about by the power of pure love, akin to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

Smirnova draws the main figures here beautifully and it is hard for us not to fall in love with them. Faerie Spring on the upper right corner looks down at the unfolding scene with sadness in her eyes. The strict Father Frust in the upper left corner looks straight at us, as if in warning - it is better not to love, or you may get hurt. Yet we do. Tsar Berendey and village people form an almost complete circle around the Snow Maiden. The maidens at the bottom hold a long piece of fabric, or scarf, in their hands, perhaps signfiying the inevitable flow of life, and time. Lel, a charmer with his musical instrument, is part of the group, as well, and sees what is happening to her. Initially, the Snow Maiden was intrigued with Lel, but it was not to be, and he is not the reason for her sad fate. But is it sad? Leaving this world with love for someone or something is undeniably better than leaving it with a rock in your heart.

Pictures of the plaque do not do it justice. The details painted by Smirnova are as crisp as ever, and the golden rays of the sun are visually stunning. Smirnova has painted this scene before with different variations, shapes, and nuances, and considers it one of her most effective compositions. By doing it on a plaque this time, Smirnova continues to demostrate her versatility by making it more interesting to people who prefer art works that hang on walls (as opposed to boxes that you touch and open). The plaque has two metal clasps, securely fastened on back, that hold a wire for ease in hanging it on the wall. The work is signed on the bottom with the name of the artist, village and title.
Truly a masterpiece of miniature art!