Palekh miniature
Lacquer miniatures painted in tempera on papier-mâché: subjects from fairy tales and epic songs, with fine gold work on a dark ground. The craft took shape in the settlement of Palekh in the Ivanovo Region.
Since before the time of Peter the Great, Palekh had been known for its icon painters. Palekh masters painted icons and took part in painting and restoring churches, including the Palace of Facets in the Moscow Kremlin and the Novodevichy Convent.
After 1917 the artists looked for new uses for their skill. They took up papier-mâché, previously the material of the Fedoskino masters, and brought to it the technique of tempera painting and the stylised manner of the Old Russian icon.
On 5 December 1924 seven Palekh artists, among them Ivan Golikov and Ivan Bakanov, formed the Artel of Ancient Painting. As early as 1925, Palekh miniatures were shown at the World Exhibition in Paris.
The subjects come from fairy tales, epic songs, songs and works of Russian literature. The miniatures decorate caskets, chests, brooches and panels. Palekh has trained painters since 1928: its vocational school of ancient painting later became an art college.
Photographs
Palekh miniature 
Palekh miniature 
Palekh miniature