Bidspirit auction | Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011)

Nikolai Ivanovich Golikov (1924–2011) - Compositional sketch “Battle with the Head”. Palekh, USSR, 1950s-1960s. Paper, graphite pencil. 11 by 15 cm. Condition report: Good condition. Minor traces of age, light wear, and natural paper toning are visible. The compositional drawing and the artist’s lines remain clearly legible. Provenance From the Golikov family collection (Palekh). Created and preserved within the artist’s personal archive. This rare compositional pencil sketch by Nikolai Golikov belongs to the artist’s early creative period and represents a preparatory study for a multi-figure fairy-tale and heroic composition. Across the sheet, the artist explores several compositional variants including: a central mounted figure, scenes with fantastic creatures, architectural motifs, dynamic diagonal structures and alternative spatial arrangements. Particularly fascinating is the structure of the sheet itself: Golikov combines a principal compositional nucleus with a sequence of miniature exploratory sketches, revealing the emergence of the decorative concept. The sketch is highly important as material illustrating the artist’s creative method. Such exploratory working sheets rarely survive, as they were primarily functional studio materials. Collecting & Investment Potential Preparatory graphic studies by Nikolai Golikov are especially valuable to collectors and scholars of Palekh art because they reveal the artist’s process of developing complex decorative compositions. Works of this type are considerably rarer than finished decorative compositions and are highly desirable for both private and institutional collections. “Battle with the Head” is a rare original compositional drawing by Nikolai Golikov, revealing the formative stage of the artist’s creative conception and offering insight into the inner working process of a Palekh master.