Bidspirit auction | Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011)

Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011) - Original Design for a Postcard “Ruslan and Lyudmila”. Palekh, USSR, 1965. Papier-mâché panel, tempera, lacquer. 39 by 23 cm. Condition report: Signs of wear; surface dust; minor abrasions along the edges and on the front. Provenance: From the personal working archive of the Golikov family. Preserved as part of the artist’s studio material. A rare working design by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov, one of the leading masters of the Palekh school, Honoured Artist of the RSFSR, and a representative of a distinguished artistic dynasty, son of Ivan Ivanovich Golikov. The work dates to the 1960s, a period when the artist collaborated with publishing houses, producing compositions for printed media. The subject relates to Alexander Pushkin’s “Ruslan and Lyudmila”. The composition presents a fragment with dynamic movement and characteristic linear expression. A notable feature is the preserved layout structure: the upper section includes a reserved area for text, reflecting the design process for printed production. Executed in tempera with fine detailing, the work retains the technical characteristics of Palekh painting while functioning as a preparatory design. Collecting & Investment Potential: Original designs by Palekh artists offer valuable insight into the process of creating printed imagery and the interaction between fine art and mass culture in the 20th century. Works originating from artists’ personal archives are rarely encountered on the market. Such pieces are of particular interest to collectors of graphic art and institutions focused on Soviet visual culture. A rare working design by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov, offering insight into the artist’s creative process and its translation into printed form. Such material is seldom available and is typically acquired by specialised collectors.