Youth – Miniature Russian Box After Gustave Klimt

2016 - Lacquer painting on papier-mâché Titled Юность lower left – Signed in Russian lower right Since the 19th century, a unique folk art has developed in Russia, according to a tradition that is still alive today: the art of miniature on lacquer. Constituting one of the most appreciated expressions of Russian decorative art, this technique is supported by papier-mâché and is applied to boxes, caskets, boxes and decorative panels. Covered with lacquer and decorated with shimmering patterns, they are strongly linked to the know-how of icon painters. The art of miniature will mainly develop in centers renowned for the creation of religious painting. The drawing that will decorate the object is first made on paper, then transferred to tracing paper. Then the back of the drawing is rubbed with chalk and applied to the surface to be decorated. The remains of chalk are removed with a quill pen. There are four schools of lacquer miniatures in Russia: Fedoskino, Mstiora, Kholuy and the most famous of all, Palekh.