In 1958 Ivan Strakhov painted this work. He is a very important figure in Fedoskino's development, since it was he who sat in with some of Fedoskino's great artists and made it what it is today. This is a work that shows how these artists were able to bring hand-painted masterpieces into regular people's homes. "Morning in the Woods" as this work is entitled was originally painted on canvas by Ivan Shishkin. Shishkin's work is exhibited in Moscow's Tretyakov Gallery, and is one of the most popular pieces viewed in the entire museum. It has become something of a national symbol for Russia, which Fedoskino artists were quick to adopt into their work.
Painted originally in 1889, the scene shows a mother bear watching her three cubs play on the fallen trunk of a tree. On the box the artist zooms in on the central action, making the bears larger, proportionally, than they are in the original. The original shows more of a periphery, and there is a deeper feeling from the forest. Fedoskino artists made the bears slightly larger and the forest not as thick so that the viewer would not lose the focus in the scene on a smaller medium like the lid of a lacquer box.
Oil-based paint is the main medium used to paint this composition. Greens and browns make up the tonal majority in the foreground, while the artist paints the background with aluminum paint in the underlayers. By doing this on one of the first layers that was painted, and building on top with layer upon layer of paint, the artist creates a good sense of compositional depth. This helps to convey the infinity of the forest in the background, and also put the foreground into clearer focus. The brushwork is impeccable, which reveals the intricate details throughout the foreground. Each bear is painted as Shishkin had them in his work, and they are the single element in this work that defines it as a masterpiece.
The box is made out of paper-mache made in Fedoskino. Black lacquer covers the exterior and red lacquer covers the interior of the box. The clear lacquer that once made this box shiny has all but evaporated. This piece, for being over forty years old, is in fabulous condition and only has minor imperfections. The feet on the bottom are slightly worn and a few scuff marks with scratches have been made on the bottom. Minor scratches can be found on the sides and on the painting, but it is nothing that is excessively noticeable. On the interior of the lid an inscription can be found in Russian which reads, "Dear Yelena Kirilovna. This token of appreciation is from Natalya Kozoderovoi. July, 19 1958." Since this box was a gift for someone it is clear why the work is in such good condition. The box has a hinge above the composition and rests on four round feet. Upon completing the work on this piece the artist writes Fedoskino, 58, and signs his name at the bottom of the composition.
Materials: paper-mache, oil-based paint, aluminum, gold, and lacquer.
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About Artist Strakhov, Ivan Ivanovich:
Merited Artist of the RSFSR, winner of the Repin State Prise of the RSFSR
Reference: page 309 of Suprun L. Ya., 1987, "LACQUER MINIATURE OF FEDOSKINO", LEGPROMBITIZDAT, Moscow,
Russian lacquerware expert Malakhov N. refers to "Страхов" on page 159 of Malakhov N., 1990, "FEDOSKINO", Izobrazitelnoye Isskusstvo Publishers, Moscow, ISBN 5-85200-183
Russian lacquerware expert Krestovskaya N. refers to "Strakhov" on page 133 of Krestovskaya N., 1995, "MASTERPIECES OF RUSSIAN FOLK ART. LACQUERED MINIATURES. FEDOSKINO", INTERBOOK, Moscow, ISBN 5-7664-1048-4
Russian lacquerware expert Guliayev V. refers to "Strakhov" on page 72 of Guliayev V., 1993, "THE FINE A
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read about Strakhov, Ivan Ivanovich
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Item Specifications:
- Title: "Morning in the Woods 1958"
- Price: $3200.00
- This specific item is available as a single work.
We do not expect to carry this item in the foreseeable future!
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