In the 1920s and 1940s, Palekh artists gradually expanded their thematic range. They developed literary and fairy-tale plots and gradually turned to Russian epic poems. The epic theme acquired special significance during the Great Patriotic War, when works representing the strength and courage of ancestors, their independence and love for the Motherland appeared in various fields of art.
During this period Aristarch Dydykin created the miniature ‘Mikula Selyaninovich’. The master drew inspiration from a bylina (Russian oral epic poem) about a bogatyr (epic knight) Mikula, who was a simple plowman, and warrior-knyaz (prince) Volga Svyatoslavovich. According to the plot, knyaz Volga and his druzhina (small army) went on a trip to collect taxes from the towns which were part of his dominion. They encountered plowman Mikula in a field and, amazed at his incredible strength, asked him to join them. The hero agreed, but in the middle of their journey he remembered about his plow which he had left in a furrow. He asked Volga to send his soldiers to pull the plow out of the ground and hide it behind a willow bush.
Volga sent five soldiers, but neither they nor their friends, who arrived quickly afterwards, could pull the plough out: and ‘not one out of 30 people’ could not move it from its place. Then the plowman himself pulled the tool out of the ground with one hand, and the heroes continued on their way.
The artist conveyed this plot by creating a rich multi-figure composition. He captured Mikula with Volga in the center; and in the lower right corner — his group of five soldiers who unsuccessfully try to move the plow.
The miniature is distinguished by a variety of color nuances: the master accurately worked out color combination and their placement, the ratio of colored spots and color saturation. Each element of the composition not only helps to further unveil the plot, but also enhances the decorative expressiveness of painting.
Aristarch Dydykin is one of the most original Palekh artists. He was born in 1874. His family members were icon painters. The artist studied in the workshop of Nikolay Sofonov. At first, he painted churches of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and since 1926 he worked in the ‘Palekh Artel of Ancient Painting’.
In addition to lacquer miniatures, the artist was engaged in porcelain painting, created murals, designed theatrical sets and book illustrations. He skillfully fused ancient iconographic motifs with lacquer miniature painting techniques. His works are easily recognizable by the unusual landscapes, the abundant use of gold in ornaments and contrasting colors.
During this period Aristarch Dydykin created the miniature ‘Mikula Selyaninovich’. The master drew inspiration from a bylina (Russian oral epic poem) about a bogatyr (epic knight) Mikula, who was a simple plowman, and warrior-knyaz (prince) Volga Svyatoslavovich. According to the plot, knyaz Volga and his druzhina (small army) went on a trip to collect taxes from the towns which were part of his dominion. They encountered plowman Mikula in a field and, amazed at his incredible strength, asked him to join them. The hero agreed, but in the middle of their journey he remembered about his plow which he had left in a furrow. He asked Volga to send his soldiers to pull the plow out of the ground and hide it behind a willow bush.
Volga sent five soldiers, but neither they nor their friends, who arrived quickly afterwards, could pull the plough out: and ‘not one out of 30 people’ could not move it from its place. Then the plowman himself pulled the tool out of the ground with one hand, and the heroes continued on their way.
The artist conveyed this plot by creating a rich multi-figure composition. He captured Mikula with Volga in the center; and in the lower right corner — his group of five soldiers who unsuccessfully try to move the plow.
The miniature is distinguished by a variety of color nuances: the master accurately worked out color combination and their placement, the ratio of colored spots and color saturation. Each element of the composition not only helps to further unveil the plot, but also enhances the decorative expressiveness of painting.
Aristarch Dydykin is one of the most original Palekh artists. He was born in 1874. His family members were icon painters. The artist studied in the workshop of Nikolay Sofonov. At first, he painted churches of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and since 1926 he worked in the ‘Palekh Artel of Ancient Painting’.
In addition to lacquer miniatures, the artist was engaged in porcelain painting, created murals, designed theatrical sets and book illustrations. He skillfully fused ancient iconographic motifs with lacquer miniature painting techniques. His works are easily recognizable by the unusual landscapes, the abundant use of gold in ornaments and contrasting colors.
