Khokhloma painting: history of appearance, stages of development, colors and application technique

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The bright “golden” painting on wooden utensils, known to every Russian, invariably attracts attention. It is difficult to imagine traditional Russian culture without such bright elements of national decor. Products decorated with intricate patterns are also popular abroad. This is the visiting card of our national Russian craft.

The history of Khokhloma painting, as well as its distribution and significance in the modern life of the country, are described in our article.

Types of paintings

Folk crafts are not called that for nothing, because they were invented by ordinary people. Almost every corner of Russia is famous for its special features and unique style in the work of craftsmen.

The history of the emergence and development of Khokhloma painting is very interesting. However, there are other types as well. We present the most striking, recognizable art crafts practiced in Russia:

• Gzhel. Perhaps the most recognizable element of decor in the world. Blue, airy, subtle patterns on a white background came to us from the 14th century. This type of folk art has already hundredsyears is an essential attribute of Russian culture.
• Zhostovskaya. This is perhaps the most beautiful painting on metal household items. It is hard to imagine a Russian merchant's house without a colorful tray or a samovar. On a black background, whole works of art appear before our eyes - bright flowers and fabulous firebirds. They seem to be ready to fly off the painted twigs.
• Khokhloma painting. Also a very recognizable Russian craft. Bright golden leaves, rowan clusters, ripe red berries of strawberries, mountain ash, gooseberries on wooden utensils are liked by people not only in Russia, but also far beyond its borders.

• Gorodets painting from the town of Gorodets is recognizable thanks to its positive figures depicting ordinary Russian people. Toys and colorful little men in smart sundresses and shirts always cheer up. This is a special genre of Russian applied art.
• Fedoskino lacquer miniature is a cheerful reflection of Russian life. The painting on caskets and snuffboxes brings us back to the world of revelry, bazaars and holidays. Troikas of horses race beautifully dressed men and women straight into the center of the festivities.

Khokhloma painting

Its two essential elements are wood and "gold". Today, such dishes are, first of all, decorative elements. Amazingly beautiful furniture, boxes, panels and paintings also harmoniously fit into the modern interiors of our apartments.

HistoryKhokhloma painting is more than one hundred years old. However, even now this type of folk art does not lose its relevance. How did such amazing art come to Russia?

A Brief History

Earlier, peasants used only wooden utensils. Spoons, bowls, jugs and ladles were standard kitchen utensils in any family. How did simple rustic dishes suddenly become a work of art? The history of the emergence of Khokhloma painting has its roots in the distant 17th century. The village of the same name Khokhloma, which existed in the Volga region, became her homeland.

The Volga region is a land rich in forests and picturesque landscapes. It was this unique color that became the subject of inspiration. The former Nizhny Novgorod province has always been famous for its craftsmen.

The history of Khokhloma painting is inextricably linked with other crafts of the Volga region. This region was famous for its woodcarving and the manufacture of various wooden items. He is also famous for icon painters. There is an assumption that the gold color of the dishes was borrowed from these masters from the technology of gilding frames for icons. Then the craftsmen used silver powder, which was used to cover individual details on their creations. When interacting with fire, silver turned into "gold", that is, it changed its color. It was this technology that artists began to use when painting wooden dishes.

The technique of applying Khokhloma painting is quite complicated. Silver powder was subsequently replaced with a more affordable material - tin. Painting was done before and is being done nowmanually resistant paints that withstand heat treatment. First, the contours of the future pattern are applied. Then the background is filled with paint, on which the stems of flowers are drawn with a thin brush, bright strokes and dots are put. After applying the pattern with red, black, brown and green paints, the product is varnished and sent to the oven. The work is varnished 5-6 times, each layer is thoroughly dried.

Stages of development

As noted above, there were many craftsmen in the Volga region. Their secrets were passed on from generation to generation, contributing to the emergence of new professionals in their field. The history of Khokhloma painting, originating in the 17th century, began to actively develop. This was facilitated by a large number of craftsmen and the constant interaction of crafts. The favorable location of the region gathered a huge number of people from different cities at the fairs. "Golden" tableware with red berries sold out very quickly, its popularity grew in all regions of the country.

The history of the development of Khokhloma painting was not without a legend. She tells that in the 17th century, the glorious master Andrey Loskut fled from the capital to Khokhloma. He painted icons, but after the introduction of the canons of Patriarch Nikon, he decided to leave the capital city, since he did not like the new order. In the wilderness of the Volga region, he took up painting dishes. Nikon found out about this and sent soldiers to arrest Andrey. The master locked himself in the hut and burned himself, and before his death bequeathed to protect his art.

At first, in Khokhloma and nearby villages, dishes were not made like thatcolorful and bright as we see it now. The fact is that silver powder, which became “golden” during processing, was very expensive. As a rule, it was applied only as an edging for products, the so-called belts. Volumetric dishes were given with the help of whitewash. In the 19th century, they learned how to make a golden background from tin powder. This material was quite cheap. Therefore, it began to be used for application to the entire product. All sorts of patterns were drawn on it. Whitewash has been discontinued. At this time, there was a division of labor. In some villages, wood was harvested, in others objects were cut out of it, and in others (mainly in Khokhloma), they were painted, giving the final look to the products.

With the massive development of industry, handmade tableware was supplanted by factory goods, which cost much less. Khokhloma painting was revived in the 20s of the last century. At this time, schools were established where they taught woodworking and drawing. Masters of Khokhloma painting have repeatedly taken part in international exhibitions. Thanks to their art, people around the world have an opinion that talented people live in Russia.

Modernity

Gold on a black background, decorated with scarlet berries and uncomplicated branches, is so fond of the Russian people that today it is as popular as in the past. Some masters draw bright patterns on a red or golden background. The theme of the plots is always devoted to nature. It can be not only plants, but also birds with a brightplumage. Often in plots, clusters of ripe berries or ears of corn are used, which speak of the we alth of their native land. Now they make not only such beautiful dishes. At exhibitions, we can even see cars painted with Khokhloma patterns.

Examples of work

The history of Khokhloma painting can be briefly considered in household items on display in museums. They give a clear idea of how this folk craft began, how it developed and changed. The rich assortment of dishes always amazes the imagination. Our eyes are painted cups and mugs, plates of different diameters and deep bowls, s alt shakers, kegs and jugs.

At present, Khokhloma painting has become an element of high fashion. This is not only men's and women's clothing, but also all kinds of decorative elements. Bright Khokhloma patterns can be seen on phone cases, women's jewelry and various interior items.

Khokhloma motifs in textiles also occupy not the last place. Masters use modern technologies for applying their favorite pattern to almost any item. Those who wish can purchase curtains, bedspreads and bed linen in the "Khokhloma" style.

Khokhloma painting is actively used in furniture production. Many remember children's tables and chairs, decorated with a familiar pattern. Today, cabinets, tables, chests of drawers and shelving have become elements of the "Russian" interior.

For kids

The history of the emergence of Khokhloma painting forchildren is very interesting. The simplicity and ornateness of the elements can be very educational for the younger generation. The study of the basics of folk craftsmanship is successfully carried out in circles for children. It is extremely interesting for kids to display bright leaves and berries on a black background.

The painting uses a number of elements that develop not only drawing skills, but also the imagination of little artists. Ornaments change. The result is beautiful pictures. Children not only draw patterns, but also paint objects directly, which is much more interesting for the development of creativity.

The history of Khokhloma painting for children contains explanations of how people used to imagine nature, how it was portrayed. Kids are taught to draw grass, droplets, bushes, berries, curls, antennae, circles. From these details they make patterns, painting paper spoons, plates, dishes.

Conclusion

Over the three hundred years of its existence, Khokhloma painting not only has not lost its relevance, but has become much more diverse. The intricate ornaments and designs are unique. This is our history, our hallmark. Beautiful bright dishes with Khokhloma painting are always appropriate in a modern kitchen. It creates a feeling of comfort, fills the atmosphere with warmth and positive.