Bidspirit auction | Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011)

Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011) - Painting “I Danced with a Mosquito”. Palekh, USSR, 1985. Tempera on canvas (mounted on board). 48 by 38 cm (framed) Condition report: In a wooden frame. Fading of the paint layer and surface stains. Canvas partially detached from the frame. Inventory labels and stains on the reverse. Provenance: From the family collection of the Golikov dynasty. Created and preserved in the personal studio of Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov. A rare example of easel painting by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov, translating a traditional folk motif into a large-scale decorative composition. The scene centers on a dancing couple: a female figure and a musician, rendered in dynamic movement typical of the artist’s expressive style. The figures are integrated into a stylized landscape environment composed of ornamental vegetation and decorative motifs, forming a cohesive visual structure. Executed in egg tempera with gold detailing, the work demonstrates refined linework and a vibrant color palette. The larger format allows the artist’s characteristic style to unfold beyond the limits of miniature painting. Collecting & Investment Potential: Works by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov are held in major museum collections. His easel paintings are rare and of particular interest to collectors seeking comprehensive representations of Palekh art. A rare large-format work translating a folk theme into Golikov’s distinctive visual language.