Video: Fedoskino miniature: How 200 years ago a lacquer fairy tale appeared in Russia that conquered the world
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
There are only four schools of lacquer miniature in Russia: Palekh, Mstera, Kholui and Fedoskino. The latter is the oldest, it was founded in the 18th century. This is the only style of Russian traditional painting that is not associated with icon painting. Even in the 19th century, Fedoskino masters studied at the Stroganov School and set a high standard for themselves - they were equal to the artists of the Renaissance. Today in Fedoskino caskets are produced and painted in the same way as they were 200 years ago. Each work is a work of art.
Interestingly, papier-mâché rather than wood is used in the manufacture of boxes for lacquer miniatures. Therefore, in order to distinguish a real product of masters from a cheap fake, you can gently slap the lid - the sound should be special, a little dull.
The first production in the village of Fedoskino near Moscow was founded by the merchant Pyotr Korobov at the end of the 18th century. At first, the factory produced army visors from papier-mâché. Then the enterprising merchant visited the Stobwasser factory in Germany and got the idea to expand his production. He brought several foreign craftsmen to Russia and assigned them to train village peasants who showed talent for this business.
Chewed paper, as papier-mâché was then called, was used to make boxes, boxes, snuff boxes and beads. At first, pictures were simply pasted onto the boxes. They began to be painted by hand since 1814. Later, the factory passed to the founder's son-in-law, the merchant Lukutin. It was he who raised the bar of skill for artists to a new level. After that, the Fedoskino craftsmen obtained the right to put on the products the coat of arms - a golden two-headed eagle.
The themes for the miniatures were scenes from village life and episodes from Russian fairy tales. Also on the boxes were copies of paintings by great Russian masters. The Russian troika is considered the symbol of the Fedoskino miniature.
Boxes are made of papier-mâché using a special old technology, which allows them to be made stronger than wooden ones. By the way, by weight, they are also comparable to natural wood, although such boxes are made of cardboard. It is wound on a base, coating each layer with glue and pressed. After drying, the product is soaked in linseed oil, dried and sanded again. The craftsmen give their products a 100-year guarantee. Such papier-mache can even withstand boiling water and is not afraid of fungus.
Only Fedoskino masters use oil paints to paint boxes. The rest of the schools of Russian lacquer miniature paint with egg tempera. The difference between this old style is volume. It is achieved due to the fact that there are layers of varnish between the layers of the picture - paint, grind, the main layer and highlights. In total, about fifteen to twenty layers are applied to the product during the painting. Each of them is dried, at some stages the varnish layers are sanded. Another feature of Fedoskino painting is its special brilliance. It is achieved due to the fact that the first layer shines through from under the pattern - gold, silver foil or natural mother-of-pearl
On average, it takes 4 to 6 months to make one product. Each miniature is assigned an individual number. Its authenticity is confirmed by a certificate with the personal signature of the artist.
During its long history, Fedoskino production has experienced several ups and downs. Since 1945, an experimental workshop has been operating at the factory, in which scientists have managed to revive ancient applied techniques: filigree, diverging, painting on mother-of-pearl, etc. In addition, masters of painting are trained in Fedoskino and there is a museum of lacquer miniatures.
Read on for a review of another famous school of lacquer painting four centuries of Palekh: Unique Russian iconography and lacquer miniature paintings that have no analogues in the world
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