Russian lacquer art developed from the art of
icon
An icon () is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, in the cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Catholic churches. They are not simply artworks; "an icon is a sacred image used in religious devotion". The most ...
painting, which came to an end with the collapse of
Imperial Russia. The icon painters, who previously had been employed by supplying not only churches but people's homes, needed a way to make a living. Thus, the craft of making
papier-mâché
upright=1.3, Mardi Gras papier-mâché masks, Haiti
upright=1.3, Papier-mâché Catrinas, traditional figures for day of the dead celebrations in Mexico
Papier-mâché (, ; , literally "chewed paper") is a composite material consisting of p ...
decorative boxes and panels developed, the items were
lacquered and then hand painted by the artists, often with scenes from folk tales.
The four centers of Russian lacquer art
The village of
Fedoskino (Федоскино), located not far from
Moscow
Moscow ( , US chiefly ; rus, links=no, Москва, r=Moskva, p=mɐskˈva, a=Москва.ogg) is the capital and largest city of Russia. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at 13.0 millio ...
on the banks of the
Ucha River, is the oldest of the four art centers of Russian lacquer miniature painting on
papier-mâché
upright=1.3, Mardi Gras papier-mâché masks, Haiti
upright=1.3, Papier-mâché Catrinas, traditional figures for day of the dead celebrations in Mexico
Papier-mâché (, ; , literally "chewed paper") is a composite material consisting of p ...
, which has been practiced there since 1795. It stands apart both geographically, and in that that oil paints are used rather than
egg tempera
Tempera (), also known as egg tempera, is a permanent, fast-drying painting medium consisting of colored pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder medium, usually glutinous material such as egg yolk. Tempera also refers to the paintings done ...
. While allowing the artist a free hand in
impressionistic
Impressionism was a 19th-century art movement characterized by relatively small, thin, yet visible brush strokes, open composition, emphasis on accurate depiction of light in its changing qualities (often accentuating the effects of the passag ...
interpretation, the style of Fedoskino painting is largely realistic in composition and detail.
The other three Russian lacquer art centers are:
*
Palekh
Palekh (russian: Па́лех) is an urban locality (a settlement) and the administrative center of Palekhsky District of Ivanovo Oblast, Russia. Population:
Painting
Palekh has a very long history in Russian iconography, the art of painting R ...
(Палех)
*
Kholuy (Kholui, Kholuj, Holui - Холуй)
*
Mstyora (Mstera - Мстёра)
The lacquer artists of Palekh, Kholuy and Mstyora continue to use the technique of painting in egg-based tempera overlaid with intricate gold leaf highlighting.''
All three are situated in the former
Vladimir-Suzdal
Vladimir-Suzdal (russian: Владимирско-Су́здальская, ''Vladimirsko-Suzdal'skaya''), also Vladimir-Suzdalian Rus', formally known as the Grand Duchy of Vladimir (1157–1331) (russian: Владимиро-Су́здальс ...
Principality, Ivanovo region of central
Russia
Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-eig ...
, and are deeply rooted in the 17th-19th century
icon
An icon () is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, in the cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Catholic churches. They are not simply artworks; "an icon is a sacred image used in religious devotion". The most ...
painting tradition, which lasted until the
Russian Revolution of 1917
The Russian Revolution was a period of political and social revolution that took place in the former Russian Empire which began during the First World War. This period saw Russia abolish its monarchy and adopt a socialist form of government ...
, and is now being revived by young artists of the 21st century.
Gallery
Image:Russian lacquered box - Suzdal.png, Kholuy miniature jewelry box:
townscape of Suzdal.
File:Brosche Lackminiatur aus Mstjora Vorderseite 1629.JPG, Mstyora miniature brooch:
scene from ''The Tale of Tsar Saltan
The Tale of Tsar Saltan, of His Son the Renowned and Mighty Bogatyr Prince Gvidon Saltanovich, and of the Beautiful Princess-Swan ( rus, «Сказка о царе Салтане, о сыне его славном и могучем богаты ...
''
Image:PalekhTroikaWolves.jpg, Palekh miniature
Palekh miniature (russian: Палехская миниатюра) is a Russian folk handicraft of a miniature painting, which is done with tempera paints on varnished articles made of papier-mâché (including the creation of small boxes, cigaret ...
cigarette case:
a troika
Troika or troyka (from Russian тройка, meaning 'a set of three') may refer to:
Cultural tradition
* Troika (driving), a traditional Russian harness driving combination, a cultural icon of Russia
* Troika (dance), a Russian folk dance
Pol ...
beset by wolves.
See also
*
Palekh miniature
Palekh miniature (russian: Палехская миниатюра) is a Russian folk handicraft of a miniature painting, which is done with tempera paints on varnished articles made of papier-mâché (including the creation of small boxes, cigaret ...
*
Khokhloma
External links
FEDOSKINO GALLERY 1, Russian Lacquer Miniatures by Isaev, KOZLOVA , Solodilov, Dubovikov, Makarovh1>
References
{{Authority control
Russian art
Papier-mâché
Russian culture
1795 establishments in the Russian Empire