Bidspirit auction | Study Panel “Head of a

Study Panel “Head of a Saint” - Palekh, Russian Empire, 1900s. Papier-mâché, egg tempera, gesso 16,5 х 10 cm Condition report:  Crease to the lower right corner; losses to the lower edges; craquelure and losses to the paint layer; stains on the reverse. Provenance: From the Golikov family collection. Preserved within the family since the pre-revolutionary period and associated with the Palekh icon-painting workshops of the early 20th century. A study panel executed in the early 20th century, representing a teaching model used in the Palekh icon-painting tradition. Such works served as reference examples for students mastering the technique of facial painting. The painting follows the academic conventions of pre-revolutionary iconography, with careful modelling of form and subtle tonal transitions. The depiction of the saint’s head demonstrates the use of traditional techniques such as ochre underpainting and layered highlights, alongside detailed rendering of hair and beard. The visible signs of age - craquelure, losses, and workshop wear - are consistent with the function of such teaching objects and reflect their prolonged use within a studio environment. This type of work is directly connected to the artistic tradition from which Palekh lacquer miniature later developed. Collecting & Investment Potential: Study panels from pre-revolutionary Palekh workshops constitute rare material for the study of icon-painting techniques and artistic training. Works with this type of provenance, preserved within family archives, are extremely uncommon on the market. Such objects are of particular importance for museum collections and specialised private holdings focused on the origins of Russian art and the development of the Palekh tradition. A rare historical study piece from the Palekh icon-painting tradition, preserved within the Golikov family. Material of this nature is seldom available and is typically acquired by museums and advanced collectors.