Russian lacquer miniature painting got its start in the Fedoskino area in the late 18th century. From there it sprouted and grew into Moscow's neighboring villages. At the turn of the 20th century there was a small slow down, especially after the fall of the Russian Empire. Once the Soviets got socialism rolling they found that not only was Fedoskino once again producing lacquer miniatures, but also 3 villages 200 miles Northwest of Moscow. This is how Russian lacquer miniatures started in the form that we know them today. Without the work of Vishnyakov and Lukutin artists in the Romanov era, lacquer art may not have survived.
Oil-based paint is the main medium used to paint this composition. It features a summer troika on a dusty day, on the same type of road. Two villagers sit in back as the driver whips his horses along. The artist depicts dust picking up behind the cart and the shadows of the horses on the ground. Details like this bring this stylized painting to life. The stylization in this painting is found in the sky and the foreground. Here we see how the artist has used bronze paint as the base color. Over this the artist limns in the details that define the sky and the grooves in the road. The three horses and three people are rendered magnificently as the center piece of the composition. The timeless nature of this composition is greatly enhanced by the slightly weathered look of the box. Combining the natural aging process of a lacquer miniature with the fantastic painting of a master, one will find that this sort of art collectible has the chance to exist for eternity.
The box was made out of paper-mache made in the Vishnyakov Workshops during the 1890's. Black lacquer covers the exterior and aluminum covers the interior of the box. It is shaped like a small drum, which was popular for holding large amounts of tea. These also made wonderful gift items that were used on a daily basis and then passed down from one generation to the next. The box has more of a matte surface than lacquer boxes made today, because the original coats of polished lacquer have since evaporated. The imperfections on this century-plus year old box include a few chips in the painting, a few scratches around the sides and the bottom, and the interior has wear on it.
Materials: paper-mache, oil-based paint, bronze, aluminum, and lacquer.
Additional information:
L. Ya. Suprun writes:
Let us examine graphic works from the funds of the State Tretyakov gallery. Here we find numerous watercolors, drawings, lithographs by such artists as P.M. Russel, I.P. Trutnev, K.Gampeln, V. Timm, N. E. Sverchkov and others. Original works by these renowned artists served as inspirational pieces and working material for Fedoskino masters of the 19th century. Close examination of such works will help us understand which principles were the Fedoskino masters guided by when choosing original artwork by known artists as the basis for their designs.
Among the various drawings, watercolors, lithographs a unique group of works by Nicholay Yegorovich Sverchkov (1817 - 1898) stand out. In 1852 the artist was awarded the title Academy Artist for his rendering "Landowner's Troika, passing a caravan chain at full speed." Besides this, the artist played a modest role in the history of arts. His obsession with horses, thoroughbreds and simple peasant's "savraskas," about which the artist had extensive knowledge, with no doubt, becomes apparent.
Some of his artwork the Fedoskino artists used for miniature painting without any modification, yet some were extensively re-worked. On the other hand many of his works seem to be made with miniature masters in mind, however they were never used. The fact that not all of his works were lithographically reproduced, thus not being as widely known, explains this partially, but there are other reasons as well. The miniature artists appreciated the fine detailed of renderings by Sverchkov. The details of peasant and city fold dresses, the intricate horses, the harnesses, slays and coaches, the various driver, coachmen and horseman poses. While this is true, the renderings were to detailed and dry sometimes. This was a barrier for the artists, not enabling them to re-render the scenes in poetic and decorative manner of lacquer miniature.
The Tretyakov gallery keeps a drawing entitled "Two troikas at a cliff" (1856). Here, two racing troika carriages with coachmen and passengers are headed towards a cliff. One troika is catching up with another. These are robbers about to intercept the peasants. A scene from real life on the high roads was not to be ignored by the buying public. The Fedoskino artists used this lithograph for their paintings. The scene, however, was given a feel of joy and excitement, typical of Fedoskino masters who did not like dramatic scenery on lacquerware. A dramatic event ? robbery on the high road has been re-rendered as a race of skilled "yamshik" coachmen. Details that did not play well with this interpretation were take out, figures and poses that were not considered pretty by the folk artists had to be changed.
So, when using typical 19th century troika scenes, including renderings by N. Y. Sverchkov, the artist never depicted things that were considered unpretty, such as ridders leaving feet out of the coach. Such details were always left out of the compositions.
Lacquer miniature artists used much of the details and picture elements of N. Y. Sverchkov. The renderings of the road, which the troika rides, the bushes in the foreground, the trees and village houses were used over and over again.
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About Artist Anonymous, :
In the world of art some of the greatest paintings, sculptures, and literary works have not been signed by the artists, sculptors, or writers who completed them. If Anonymous were a name of a real person he/she would go down as the most well rounded artist, writer, and poet in history. These unsung people, having contributed to the world of art over the years, have chosen to stay anonymous for various reasons. Whatever reasons they may be these artists have shown there is more to the world art than gaining notoriety. The idea of creating art for art's sake is what draws artists to want to create beauty. When an artist creates something truly beautiful, no matter if it is signed or not, that
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Item Specifications:
- Title: "Summer Troika Ride 1890"
- Price: $1850.00
- Status: SOLD
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