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Hermitage Fine Art

382 - PALEKH LACQUER PANEL, K. N. SAFONOV AFTER N.
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Estimate €800 - €1,200
Sale commission
Description
PALEKH LACQUER PANEL, K. N. SAFONOV AFTER N. A. PRAVDIN, 1931 signed in Cyrillic and dated ‘Palekh 1931 goda’ (bottom left) and inscribed in Cyrillic ‘N Pravdin kopiroval K Sofonov’ (along the lower edge), inscribed in Cyrillic ‘Sofonov K.N. / postupil ichitsya / 10 February 1930’ (on the reverse) 10.9 × 10.5 cm This panel is a rare example of Palekh lacquer painting from the early Soviet era, dating from the period associated with the emergence of what is known as ‘Agit-Palekh’ in the 1920s and 1930s. Following the Russian Revolution, traditional icon painters from Palekh adapted their centuries-old techniques to lacquer miniatures, replacing religious imagery with secular subjects inspired by Russian folklore, fairy tales, rural life and Soviet ideology. Founded in 1924, the Artel of Ancient Painting aimed to preserve the traditions of Russian icon painting by adapting its techniques to lacquer miniatures. Dated 1931, this work depicts a scene inspired by Russian folklore. The inscription indicates that it was copied by Konstantin Safonov (1914–1942) after a work by Nikolai Pravdin (1893–1981). Trained in traditional icon painting, Pravdin joined the Artel of Ancient Painting in 1930, initially producing genre scenes and depictions of rural life before devoting himself primarily to portrait miniatures, notably portraits of Soviet leaders such as Lenin and Stalin. Safonov, an artist born in Palekh into a family of icon painters, also joined the Artel in 1930. The inscription on the reverse, recording his entry into apprenticeship on 10 February 1930, suggests that this panel may have been executed as a student exercise. At the buyer’s request, we shall be happy to provide a general report on the condition of the lot described above. However, as we are not professional conservators or restorers, we strongly advise potential buyers to carry out their own inspection or to consult a specialist of their choice to obtain a full assessment of the lot’s condition. Descriptions of items provided in the catalogue or by correspondence are for information purposes only and should not be regarded as a definitive assessment. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSION REGARDING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD ‘AS IS’, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE PUBLISHED IN THE CATALOGUE.
See original version (French)
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About the sale DESIGN & JEWELLERY: RUSSIAN AND EUROPEAN JEWELLERY, SILVERWARE AND PORCELAIN, LEATHER GOODS AND LUXURY CLOTHING, OBJECTS OF ART
Auction location
Auction time 10/28/2026 at 2:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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