Bidspirit auction | Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011)

Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011) - Preparatory Sketch for a Decorative Plaque “The Queen of Shamakha”. Palekh, USSR, 1960s-1970s. Laid paper, graphite. Image size: 40 × 22 cm; Sheet size: 43 × 29.5 cm Condition report: Tear along the upper edge; staining; creasing. Provenance: From the family archive of the Golikov dynasty. Original preparatory drawing by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov for a large decorative plaque based on Alexander Pushkin's The Tale of the Golden Cockerel . Preserved within the artist’s family and previously unpublished. A rare example of a vertical multi-figure composition, revealing the dramatic potential of Palekh graphic art. The scene depicts a pivotal moment from the tale - the encounter between Tsar Dadon and the Queen of Shamakha against the backdrop of a fallen army. The composition is structured vertically: the lower register shows the battlefield,   the middle zone introduces the mounted figure, and  the upper section is dominated by the tent and the queen. This arrangement creates a staged, almost theatrical effect, guiding the viewer’s eye upward through the narrative. The central focus is the Queen of Shamakha, emerging from the tent as a symbol of allure and fatal power. Although executed in graphite, the drawing already contains the structural foundation of the artist’s later painted works. Collecting & Investment Potential: Preparatory drawings related to Pushkin-inspired works by Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov are among the most significant within his oeuvre. They are valued for documenting the development of key narrative compositions, demonstrating mastery of complex multi-figure arrangements and providing insight into the artist’s working process. Works of this scale and subject are rarely available and are highly desirable for both collectors and institutions.