Bidspirit auction | Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011)

Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011) - Painting “The Mower”. Palekh, USSR, 1986. Canvas on board, egg tempera. 35 by 27 cm (panel); 38 by 30 cm (framed) Condition report: Set in a wooden frame. Pigment marks along the edges, fading of the paint layer. Inventory markings and tape traces on the stretcher. Provenance: From the family collection of the Golikov dynasty. Created and preserved in the studio of Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov. A rare example of easel painting by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov, in which a traditional rural subject is transformed into a monumental and generalized image. The composition is centered on a single dominant figure of a mower, occupying most of the pictorial space and conveying stability and inner strength. The surrounding landscape is rendered in a stylized decorative manner, with ornamental vegetation and rhythmic spatial organization. The use of contrasting colors enhances the visual impact of the central figure. Executed in egg tempera, the work combines fine linear detailing with subtle gold accents. The easel format reveals the extension of the Palekh visual language beyond lacquer miniature. Collecting & Investment Potential: Works by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov are held in major museum collections. Easel paintings by the artist are exceptionally rare and represent a distinct and important aspect of his oeuvre. A rare large-format work in an uncommon medium. An important example of Palekh tradition translated into easel painting.