Russian lacquer boxes

PALEKH
Palekh is a small village located in the Ivanovo region of Russia. The pre-revolutionary history of Palekh is associated with iconography. However, due to the prohibition of icon painting in Russia after 1917, Palekh masters had to look for new forms of expression of their creative potential. First Palekh miniaturists were icon painters in the past. Their first works on papier-mâché interested a prominent art critic A.V. Bakushinsky, who later contributed to the formation of the school of lacquer miniatures in Palekh. Former icon painters did not give up the usual technique of painting – tempera paints with the use of gold powder. Palekh masters moved away from the tradition of lacquer miniature of Fedoskino, for the first time using black background for painting on papier-mache. In the early years of the artel, the most popular subjects for painting were folk motifs - "troika (three horses)", "divination", "tea party", "couples", etc. Artists successfully managed to combine pictorial compositions with forms of miniature boxes, powder boxes, caskets, etc.

I. I. Golikov is considered to be one of the founders of this school of lacquer miniature – he was one of the most outstanding miniaturists of that time. His favorite works were images of horses, battles and troikas. The talented artist skillfully used the decorative possibilities of the background, material and shape of the object.

In 1924, former icon painters created the "Artel of ancient painting", which eventually turned into a talented team. In 30-ies the range of creativity of the artists unusually widened. One could often see persons of Russian songs, epics, fairy tales, everyday scenes from the life of peasants, historical stories, landscapes on paintings. In 1933 Palekh art school was opened. In the 60-70-ies many outstanding artists began to work in Palekh, and as a consequence, there was a rise of Palekh miniature craft. In those days realistic trends prevailed in the works of the school, due to the wish of many artists to paint in likehood style. However, the next generation of miniaturists sought to revive the traditions that were created by the founders of the Palekh miniature. Lyricism and folklore-style of images distinguish many works of Palekh miniatures. The works of artists of this school are characterized by smooth lines, ductile images and the use of bright colors. The representatives of this school have their own distinctive features of painting: patterned style, the use of black background, bright color palette and elongation of figures, like iconographic images.

Modern Palekh artists enrich the artistic heritage of this famous craft, tackle new artistic challenges.

FEDOSKINO
The village of Fedoskino is the birthplace of Russian lacquer craft. Manufacture of products of papier-mache appeared in 1795, when the merchant P.I.Korobov purchased the village of Danilkov (now part of the Fedoskino) and founded there the production of lacquer visors for army. In the second quarter of the XIX century they began to decorate s***f boxes, bead-boxes, caskets and other products with picturesque miniatures made with oil paints in a classical picturesque manner.

The craft began to prosper in the second half of the XIX century, when the factory was owned by A.P.Lukutin, the husband of the daughter of P.I.Korobov. The products of this time are called "Lukutin’s". Masters worked at the factory for hire, many of them came from the icon-painting workshops of Sergiev Posad and Moscow, some of them had art education received in the Stroganov school.

Lukutin’s lacquer miniature was popular primarily due to its high artistic level. Oil paints were used, “dense" painting and transparent layers (glazes) were combined. Gold leaf and metal powders were often used as the substrate, which were translucent through the layer of paints.
The real thrive of Fedoskino miniatures came after 1923, when the products were awarded a diploma of First degree at the all-Union exhibition of agricultural, cultural and industrial products in Moscow.

The manufacture began to expand gradually, the demand for Fedoskino products increased. The products began to be actively sold abroad. In the 1960s, the artel was transformed into the Fedoskino factory of miniature painting. At present, the traditions of Fedoskino miniatures are developed both at the factory and in small workshops, as well as by artists working independently.

Modern art of Fedoskino miniatures develops all genres of this unique craft. Highly attractive are caskets, panels, brooches and boxes of different forms and sizes with miniature painting and golden ornament.

Boxes and other works by Fedoskino artists are kept in private collections around the world, as well as presented in museums in many countries.

a.p.lu