Bidspirit auction | Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011)

Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011) - Painting “The Couple (Meeting)”. Palekh, Russia, 1998. Canvas on board, egg tempera. 45 × 34 cm (visible); 48 × 38 cm (framed). Condition report: Set in a wooden frame.  Pigment marks along the edges, fading of the paint layer. Inventory markings and labels on the reverse. Canvas partially detached from support. Provenance: From the family collection of the Golikov dynasty. Created and preserved by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov. A rare easel work from the late period of Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov, created in 1998. The composition reflects the traditional theme of a romantic encounter, reinterpreted in a larger-scale format. The central figures structure the composition through flowing, rhythmic lines characteristic of the artist’s style. A lighter background enhances the graphic clarity of the drawing, while decorative elements - stylized vegetation and ornamental details - create a cohesive visual field. Executed in egg tempera, the work retains the refined linear quality and subtle gold accents associated with Palekh painting, adapted here to a broader pictorial format. Collecting & Investment Potential: Works by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov are held in major museum collections. Easel paintings by the artist, particularly from his later period, are exceptionally rare and represent an important extension of his artistic practice beyond lacquer miniatures. A rare late-period composition in an uncommon format. Works of this type are infrequently available and attract focused collector interest.