Bidspirit auction | Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011)

Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011) - Monumental Panel “Ruslan and Lyudmila”. Palekh, USSR, 1980. Papier-mâché panel, egg tempera, gold, lacquer. 48 by 38 cm Condition report:  Surface dust, scratches, stains, and wear to the lacquer. Traces of adhesive from a former metal mounting on the reverse. Provenance: From the family collection of the Golikov dynasty. Created and preserved in the personal archive of Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov. Associated with the artist’s large-scale decorative project for The Moscow State Opera and Ballet Theatre for Young Audience named after Natalia Sats, adding historical and contextual significance. A large-scale panel presenting a complex interpretation of Pushkin’s Ruslan and Lyudmila in the mature style of Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov. The composition is constructed as a multi-scene narrative. At its center, Ruslan and Lyudmila on a dynamic red horse form the core visual focus. Surrounding them are various episodes: warriors, fantastical architecture, and symbolic figures integrated into a unified decorative structure. The spatial arrangement reflects the artist’s characteristic “flowing” composition, where figures and landscape elements are interconnected through rhythmic movement and color contrasts. Executed in egg tempera with gold detailing, the work features refined layering and intricate linework. The larger format allows the artist’s miniature technique to expand into a more monumental visual language. Collecting & Investment Potential: Large-format panels by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov are rare on the market and typically held in museum collections. Its connection to a monumental decorative project and its place within the Pushkin-themed cycle enhance its importance for serious collectors. A rare large-scale work bridging miniature tradition and monumental decorative art.