Bidspirit auction | Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011)

Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011) - Monumental Painting “The Tale of Ruslan and Lyudmila”. Palekh, USSR / Russia, 1990s. Tempera on canvas with gold. 150 by 250 cm Provenance: From the family collection of the Golikov dynasty. Created and preserved in the studio of Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov. Belongs to the artist’s late period and represents his largest easel work on canvas. A monumental painting based on Pushkin’s Ruslan and Lyudmila. The composition unfolds as a panoramic narrative, bringing together key elements of the story. At the center is Ruslan on a red horse, rendered in dynamic motion. Surrounding him are architectural and landscape motifs: Lyudmila’s palace, stylized cities, rivers, and decorative hills. The painting is structured as a continuous visual flow, where multiple scenes are integrated through rhythm and color. The surface is enriched with characteristic Palekh elements - ornamental vegetation, stylized architecture, and fantastical imagery. Despite its large scale, the work retains the precision associated with miniature painting. The use of gold detailing enhances the luminosity of architectural and decorative elements. Tempera technique on canvas provides depth of color and allows the miniature-based visual language to expand into a monumental format. Collecting & Investment Potential: Large-scale works on canvas by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov are extremely rare. Objects of this size were typically intended for public or institutional interiors and seldom appear on the market. This lot is particularly significant as the artist’s largest known easel work and as a rare example of Palekh aesthetics translated into monumental painting. The largest known canvas by the artist, combining scale, narrative complexity, and mature execution.