Bidspirit auction | Sofya Mikhailovna Vakurova (1928-2019) (later

Sofya Mikhailovna Vakurova (1928-2019) (later Golikova after her marriage) - Study Panel “Gorka” (2nd Year, Palekh Art School). Palekh, USSR, 1940s. Papier-mâché, egg tempera, raised gold, lacquer. 17 by 10 cm Condition report: Losses to the upper area; craquelure of the paint layer; minor surface blistering; uneven edges. Foxing and stains on the reverse. Handwritten ink inscription on the reverse, including a commemorative note and reference to the Palekh Art School named after Maxim Gorky. Provenance: From the Golikov family archive. The work is associated with the family circle and executed by Svetlana Nikolaevna Vakurova, a representative of the Vakurov dynasty, closely connected to the Golikov family. This study plaque represents a rare early work by Sofya Mikhailovna Vakurova, later Golikova, created during her academic training at the Palekh Art School. It illustrates the artist's mastery of one of the fundamental compositional elements of Palekh painting—the stylized gorka (”rock formation”), a motif inherited directly from the traditions of medieval Russian icon painting. Within the Palekh academic curriculum, the gorka exercise was considered an essential stage of artistic training. Rather than depicting landscape naturalistically, students learned to construct space symbolically through a carefully balanced arrangement of stepped planes, highlights, and shadow modelling, establishing the rhythmic structure characteristic of Palekh composition. The plaque demonstrates a confident command of these principles. Soft pastel tones are contrasted with a rich ultramarine background, while the crystalline structure of the rock is articulated through delicate gradations of light and shade. Stylized vegetation and ornamental details are enriched with finely applied raised gold, reflecting the close relationship between Palekh lacquer miniature painting and the centuries-old traditions of Russian iconography. Of particular significance is the handwritten dedication preserved on the reverse, documenting the artist's years at the Palekh Art School. This personal inscription transforms the plaque from a teaching exercise into an important historical document, offering a rare insight into the educational environment and artistic culture of Palekh during the 1940s. Collecting & Investment Potential: Student works from Palekh artists represent important material for the study of the school’s techniques and teaching methods. Works originating from family archives and not intended for public circulation are rarely encountered on the market. Such pieces are of particular interest to museum collections and specialised private holdings focused on the history of Russian art. A rare study piece associated with the Palekh artistic tradition, offering insight into the academic formation of its artists. Such works seldom appear on the market and are typically acquired by specialised collectors and institutions.