Bidspirit auction | Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011)

Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011) - Painting “Lyudmila in Chernomor’s Garden”. Palekh, USSR, 1980. Tempera on canvas mounted on board Visible area: 42 by 22.5 cm, Framed: 57.5 by 38 cm. Condition report: Presented in the artist’s mat and gilded frame under glass. Surface dust. Minor losses to the gilding of the frame. Provenance: From the family collection of the Golikov dynasty. Created in 1980 and preserved in the personal collection of Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov. Easel works by the artist are considerably rarer than his lacquer miniatures. A rare easel painting by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov inspired by one of the most lyrical episodes from Pushkin’s Ruslan and Lyudmila. The vertically structured composition centres on Lyudmila within the fantastical gardens of Chernomor. Rendered in delicate pink and golden tones, the heroine appears against a stylized landscape of emerald hills, ornamental architecture, and oversized magical flowers. Above her, the figure of Chernomor emerges among swirling clouds, creating a dramatic contrast between stillness and motion. Executed in tempera with fine linear detailing and gold highlights, the work combines the ornamental language of Palekh miniature painting with the broader scale of easel composition. The painting is especially notable for translating miniature precision into a monumental decorative format. Collecting & Investment Potential: Works by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov related to the Pushkin cycle are among the most sought-after areas of his oeuvre. His paintings on canvas are exceptionally rare and appear on the market far less frequently than his lacquer works. A rare large-format interpretation of the Pushkin cycle in the artist’s mature decorative style.