Русский ремесленник

Palekh's artel in 1950's On the eve of the Paris International Exhibition of Decorative Arts in 1925 decided to implement the idea of creating a new Palekh Artel. Proposal A. Glazunov - one of the initiators of her Moscow residence permit Artel not receive support. Decided to found her in Palekh.
December 5, 1924 in Palekh, in the home AV Kotuhina, held an organizational meeting (with Glazunov) Gangs of ancient paintings. The first composition was: Ivan Golikov, Ivan Bakanov brothers Zubkov, Ivan Markichev brothers Kotuhiny.

By its charter, approved in Ivanovo-Voznesensk Muscovite Glazunov could not be a member of Artel, and him as a man well known in the business and academic circles, determined to be authorized in Moscow, with emoluments, three times the size chairmanship.
Becoming artel went extremely difficult. D Ivan Golikov and Ivan Bakanov emand for products in the domestic market was low. In the Bolshevik press publish articles accusing the artists of Palekh in the use of the bourgeois subject, the religious outlook and their lack of desire to display the socialist "paradise".
In 1925 paleshane come, in Moscow, the relationship with the Nizhny Novgorod branch Gostorg. After a short cooperation with the export office showed that the circulation of her in 5,6 times higher. Glazunov, fearing a split Artel, sell all products offered through Moscow's export organization - Mosekust, to which was followed by the sharp reaction of Palekh mentor - an employee of the Tretyakov Gallery professor Bakushinskii, beware of artists from any quarter has been a monopoly over them. Bakushinskii was closely related to the spouses Golikov, Glazunov. Thanking the professor for the support paleshane refuse Mosekusta, but also relations with Nizhny Novgorod did not tear. Moreover, 30 June 1926, when the situation artel close to critical, conclude with Gostorg monopoly contract, bonded for creativity, but necessary for survival. (By this time, and Glazunov saw no other way out of crisis).
Ivan Markuichev - Golikov's follower On the meeting of 17 August 1926 decision to abolish, in connection with the treaty, an authorized official. At the same time resolved, given the merits AV Bakushinskii and AA Glazunov in the formation of Artel, elect one and the other honorary members and to present "gifts of their products."
His resignation Alexander Glazunov suffered heavily, considering it insulting and undeserved. No notice has been since World Bakushinskii, threatened to sell all of their collection (in 1914 for the transportation of the property he needed 36 carts) ... However, the door of his house is still open for our countrymen and authoritatively for many in Palekh his name. "Rest and calm down, when to talk to him about art ..." - confessed to one of the artists of the time straightforward Dmitry Butorin. Agent of a great old culture, an attractive "the complexity and mystery" seen in Glazunov romantic biographer of artists and contemporary events of the writer paleshanin Yefim Vikhrev.
Ivan Golikov and Evfim Vikhrev In May 1932 AA Glazunov involved in the first meeting of Palekh with Gorky. In the autumn of that year, hosted by Moscow to Ulyanovsk Olonets street magician words of Nicholas Klyueva, who called his house "blooming display of paradise". Affably greeted at Ivanovo, Ulyanovsk and sensitive poet, accompanied by his book on Palekh inskriptom:
  "First to begin the new branch of folk art. Gardener, vzraschavshemu beautiful flower art Palekh Aleksandr Glazunov at the pleasant memory of D. Semenov. 9/1-33g.
Alexander Baranov - Golikov's pupil The original diploma of honorary member of Artel, the tenth anniversary of the election, presented with "gardener" paleshane: two black, polished plates, stapled so that it resembles a desktop notepad. On the cover of his hand artist Sergei Dmitrievich Solonina gold made an extract from the minutes of the meeting on Aug. 17, 1926.
Artistic work of Glazunov in 1920-30-ies has not been investigated. At the exhibitions of lacquer miniature work after his resignation did not appear. Hab random orders from the Literary Museum, book publishers and other institutions. Responding to news of the day featured a four Papanintsev against the icy elements, wrote prorisovyvaya every hair in his mustache, portraits "deesis" of those years: VM Molotov, Stalin, Sergo Ordzhonikidze, and others.
June 5, 1938, was arrested the chairman of the Association Palekh artists AI Zubkov, who was soon executed. His wife - Mary V. Zubkov, selling, without waiting for the confiscation, home belongings, leaves from Palekh and, once her sister - Anastasia Golikov, for a long time, finds refuge in Moscow in-law. But clouds are already circling over his house. The daughter of sculptor NV Dydykin, Zoya Nikolaevna, on the eve of war, who came with his father in Moscow, recalls that on his return to Leningrad, it was strictly punished keep their mouths shut about the fact that they stayed at the Glazunov.
Nikolay Dydykin - palekh's sculptor An interesting and dramatic episode of the reception as an honorary member Artel Maxim Gorky. By selecting artists, delegates, headed by Ivan Golikov, and issued a membership card in the name of the writer, staff instructed onym masters to go to the capital at home to Gorky and deliver a certificate in person. With difficulty passing the protection of security officers in front of the mansion, the old men were instantly surrounded by Soviet secret police, subjected to searches and questioning. Ascertaining the goal of coming Palekh, representatives of the authorities advised them to quickly get out of Moscow. And on the question of what to do with the award ticket, the answer was that Maxim Gorky, and without this long is an honorary member of the Palekh Artel, and a document he already has. Offended by this reception and frustrated by the fact that not see Gorky, the delegation took the only correct solution in that situation - the failure to fill sorokogradusnoy and go home.
Ivan Golikov at work in theatre Ivan Golikov first the gang raised the issue of continuity of tradition and the preparation of students. Somehow, going backgammon, he drew attention to the wall newspaper, which were quite professionally executed several drawings. He said it was pictures of Paul Bazhenova from a nearby village. Ivan soon found the lad, and capable persuaded to begin his studies. By providing materials and tools for work, Golikov Bazhenova planted at his home next to him at his desk and offered to copy some of his works. Copies obtain suitable. As a result of this study Bazhenov slowly evolved into a talented mature master. In 1941 Bazhenova mobilized into the army, and under the Rybinsk their German aircraft bombed the train. Bazhenov killed.
For Bazhenov began to come to study in Golikov and other local, indifferent to art, people. Among them were already quite mature masters - former icon-painters, who chose for them to learn a new kind of art. Unfortunately, not all were able to understand the intricacies and secrets of miniature technology. Many chose the old tried and tested form of existence - the peasantry, were subsequently dispossession, expulsion, shootings.
Pavel Bazhenov - Golikov's follower A peasant and a beautiful old master house painter Ivan Mikhailovich Bakanov, a neighbor and old friend Golikov, although he was almost twenty years older than him. For a while, Golikov, looking like an old man suffering with the economy, persuaded him to quit now, and invited me to his home. Bakanov long and carefully considered the fantastic miniatures. He asked the workpiece and work for the sample. After some time, once again came to Golikov request to see and get advice. The first work Bakanova showed a profound understanding of ancient pictorial tradition and the skillful use of them in the new area. Thus was another talented associate. Dragged after a Golikov Parilov, Zinoviev, and many others. And find in the face of Ivan Ivanovich Golikov wise mentor.
Ivan himself and managed to teach and work. He got up every day at four o'clock in the morning, and even earlier. Finished his work, when it grew dark outside. Large family woke up and went to bed, seeing him only at work. All economic concerns lay on the shoulders of faithful wife - Anastasia.
Grew Palekh Artel. There was a trade school, then college. Not without heated debates, insults midnight meetings. But all share a wonderful common artistic and imaginative vision of the surrounding world of nature. All the founders were indigenous paleshanami, most of which were distant or close relatives. Despite the difference in art, painting techniques, they have retained the ancient style of Palekh. Saved from extinction centuries-old tradition of icon painting. But the price was high. Poor health, hunger, often poverty, short life.
Roquell Kent in Palekh The international success of artists have come under scrutiny of the new Bolshevik dictatorship. Production has been the subject of export and foreign currency proceeds in gold. The first tractor in the Soviet Palekh kolkhoz "Red Plowman bought artists. In Palekh visited and Jacob Hanecki - member board of the People's Commissariat, a former trustee and a personal courier of Lenin. He came Commissar Bubnov, writers Ilya Ehrenburg, Boris Pilnyak, Zarudin, Kataev, a Norwegian writer, Knut Hamsun, the American journalist Albert Rhys Williams. Moscow Palekh took Romain Rolland. Later visited Palekh artist Rockwell Kent, and many, many ... Small village has acquired world fame.
It is quite pertinent question: if not Golikov with Glazunov, what then would happen to the former icon painters, on which route and what forms would be developed in Palekh Arts and Crafts?
Now, after a certain period of time and study the living conditions of artists, their interests, the circumstances of that time, we can say with certainty - Palekh lacquer miniature world would not see. In the Moscow experience "cranks" Ivan Golikov, and Alexander Glazunov's absolutely no one in Palekh not believe it. Almost all the former icon painters leaned on the well-trodden path to the peasants' plow, various crafts, someone drank the bitter ... But, this does not mean end of career masters. Some, nevertheless, do not lay down their brushes and paints - remember the craft easel painting, writing excellent portraits, sketches. Over time, Palekh might appear prominent figures of European values. Preserved in the vaults of the museum work, to the certificate. But Providence has offered its own way ....

By George Golikov.