Bidspirit auction | Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011)

Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011) - Original Design for Printed Postcards “Ruslan and Lyudmila”. Palekh, USSR, 1970. Paper, tempera, original publishing layout markings. 14 by 10 cm. Condition report: Minor traces of handling, small edge losses and wear, visible production marks associated with printing preparation, editorial and publishing annotations on the reverse. Provenance An exceptionally rare publishing artifact of museum importance from the memorial archive of Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov. The work originates directly from the Golikov family collection and represents an original artist’s design prepared for reproduction as a printed postcard in 1970. Its historical importance is enhanced by the survival of original publisher’s stamps, production markings, editorial annotations and a fragment of Pushkin’s poem on the reverse. Materials of this type rarely survived, as they functioned as working originals within Soviet artistic printing production. A unique object uniting Palekh art, original graphic design, and the history of Soviet artistic publishing. The composition, inspired by “Ruslan and Lyudmila, ” represents one of the most expressive examples of Golikov’s celebrated “flying” style. The vertical construction intensifies the sensation of flight and unreality. Despite its intimate scale, the work possesses striking monumentality and functions as a complete miniature composition of museum quality. The reverse side is of exceptional importance, preserving original publishing stamps, editorial notations, and a fragment of Pushkin’s text, transforming the object into a rare historical document of Soviet artistic culture. Collecting & Investment Potential Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov is internationally recognized as one of the great masters of Palekh art, while his publishing originals and graphic production sketches are exceptionally rare. This work is especially important due to direct provenance from the artist’s archive, surviving publisher’s and editorial markings, connection to Soviet artistic printing history, the Pushkin literary subject, mature-period execution and strong authorial stylistic identity. Such objects possess not only artistic significance but also major documentary and historical value, making them highly desirable for museum and advanced private collections. A rare original publishing design by Nikolai Golikov - an important monument of Palekh art and Soviet graphic culture, preserving the living atmosphere of both the creative and printing process of its era.