Bright gorgeous flowers: roses, peonies, daisies, forget-me-nots, chrysanthemums and lilies of the valley (it is impossible to list them all), skillfully scattered with the artist's skillful hand on a dark glossy metal surface, is a traditional Zhostovo painting on trays. Unique folk art of Russia, which has no analogues!
The history of the old Russian craft dates back nearly 2 centuries, and during this time the products of Zhostovo masters not only did not lose their popularity and beauty, but, on the contrary, gained even greater fame throughout the world and were enriched by the innovative ideas of today's young painters.
The origin of the Zhostovo crafts
Today, any modern hostess will be happy to receive a real Zhostovo tray as a gift, which can be used not only for its direct utilitarian purpose, but also as an original decoration of the kitchen interior. In the same way, women rejoiced at the beginning of the 19th century, when they were given such beauty.
But that was not always the case. The art of Zhostovo painting began to take shape in Russia at the end of the 18th century. It was at that time that the first trays, caskets, snuffboxes, cigarette cases, all kinds of boxes, etc., painted in the technique of lacquer miniatures, which were made in the villages of the Moscow district: Ostashkovo, Troitsk, Novosiltsevo, Sorokino and Zhostovo.
Gradually, the production of trays stood out in a separate direction, and the village Zhostovo firmly took the leading role in their manufacture. By the way, the first trays were made exclusively from papier-mâché. Now it is difficult for us to imagine the Zhostovo tray made of such material.
Further development of Zhostov’s art
In 1825, Osip Fillipovich Vishnyakov’s workshop was opened in Zhostovo. It is from this event that the chronology of the existence of individual folk sign crafts is conducted. Of course, this workshop was not the only one. Other artels were gradually organized: Yegor Vishnyakova in the neighboring village of Ostashkovo, A. A. Zaitsev in Troitsky village. The popularity of their products was huge! The Zhostovo tray sold perfectly in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities.
In 1830, several workshops were opened in Zhostovo and neighboring villages, the founders of which were E.F. Belyaev, T.M. Belyaev, F.V. Shapkin, V.L. Leontyev, and I.S. Kolomenskaya. Gradually, production grew, painting products began to be made not of papier-mâché, but of a more durable and modern material - iron.
Legendary artists of Zhostov
Gradually, a new, Zhostovo tray, familiar to all of us, was born. The story, preserved in the regional annals, tells how gradually more and more local talented peasants were involved in the work of art workshops. It is amazing how many talents there were among ordinary, uneducated serfs. The first master, mentioned in a historical document of 1839, was the serf count Sheremetev - Veshnyakov Philip Nikitin, he painted trays with his son. Thus, artistic dynasties were born in Zhostovo.
The most famous masters of Zhostovo trays: O. E. Burbyshev (legends go about this artist in Zhostovo, he was a masterly master), N. M. Tsaplagin, A. E. Vishnyakov, K. V. Gribkov, I. S. Leontyev , D. S. Kledov, P. S. Kurzin, I. A. Saveliev, M. R. Mitrofanov, A. P. Gogin, I. P. Plakhov, B. V. Grafov. All these masters and many others left a deep mark on the art of Zhostov, it was they who created the wonderful works of the Zhostovo miniature, which were included in the golden fund of crafts.
Zhostovo tray - manufacturing technology
The original Zhostovo tray production technology has been polished for many years. Masters have many secrets of the craft, which they are not going to share with anyone. So the technology for manufacturing Zhostov’s products can only be described in general terms.
As mentioned above, modern trays are made of iron. They can have the most bizarre form, it all depends on the original intention of the artist. Before painting, the tray should be carefully sanded and covered with a double layer of soil, prepared on the basis of soot and kaolin. After that, the workpiece is ground again and covered with several layers of colored varnish. Moreover, each layer should be well dried and just as well ground.
Next, the manufacturing of Zhostovo trays proceeds to the next stage. After all the preparatory work, the product is ready for painting, and the master artist proceeds to further work on it. Zhostovo trays are traditionally painted with oil paints. After its completion, the product is again varnished in several layers, followed by drying and polishing to give the finished tray an almost mirror-like shine.
Artistic techniques and features of Zhostovo painting
Artistic techniques of Zhostovo painting come from the traditional Russian lacquer miniatures, but, of course, have their own characteristics. The basis can, perhaps, be called drawing with bright colors on a dark background and designing the composition with a gold ornament. The background of the Zhostovo trays is not necessarily black; it can be of any color: red, brown, green, blue, and buffy. Sometimes there are even compositions made on potali (imitation of gold), mother of pearl or a light, almost white background, but this is rather a deviation from the rules dictated by the artist’s imagination.
Gestovsky tray is usually painted in such a way that in the center of the composition (flower bouquet) are the largest and brightest flowers, which are focused on. Closer to the edges, the elements of the bouquet are getting smaller and darker, as if they merge with the background. Thus, the visual depth and volume of the painting is achieved. Zhostovo flowers are not written from nature, most often they are conditional, much of their image depends on the creative imagination of the master.
Key motives and stories
The main motives of Zhostovo painting, of course, are all kinds of floral motifs, the variety of which is unnumbered! Zhostovo painting adheres to several traditional types of composition. Flowers can be collected in large bouquets, consisting of 3-5 inflorescences, depicted in baskets or be arranged with garlands around the entire perimeter of the tray.
Sometimes the painting can be supplemented with images of berries, fruits or birds. There are samples of Zhostovo painting, similar to ancient precious Dutch still lifes. Despite the fact that the pattern of plants is rather arbitrary, there are all the signs of easel painting: careful elaboration of details, general coloring, free improvisation.
Zhostovo trays: how to draw in stages
The whole process of painting the tray can be divided into 4 stages. First, the so-called “hiding” is done: the generalized silhouette of the future pattern, the location of the main spots, as if cast with whitened paints, on the product.
Next come the “shade” and “laying”: applying transparent shadows and marking the brightest places with dense paints. After which the shape of the flowers and leaves becomes more defined.
The third stage is glare: applying quick whitening smears. With their help, all volumes are specified.
And finally, the final 4th stage follows, at which the “drawing” and “snapping” are performed. Using the thinnest brush, the master draws elastic flexible lines around the outline of each leaf and petal, draws small twigs and details, which are called snapping.
Fisheries Development Prospects
At present, Zhostovo art crafts are going through hard times. Until the 90s of the last century, the workshops were under the tutelage and financing of the state, after the perestroika and the collapse of the Soviet Union, the factory passed into private hands. Now profit has become paramount, but not preservation of traditions and a creative approach to craft.
The number of artists in the enterprise was significantly reduced. Many masters began to work independently, at home. Many private orders are being fulfilled, sharpened not only by the Zhostovo tray. Modern masters often work on painting a wide variety of subjects: from refrigerators and mobile phones to bottles with expensive collection wine. The influx of talented youth - graduates of the Fedoskino School of Lacquer Miniatures has recently decreased. Nevertheless, the company still lives, works with dedication and faith in the future.
How to get to Zhostovo?
For everyone who wants to get acquainted with the history and art of Zhostov, the company organizes interesting 5-hour excursions with master classes. A factory is constantly operating at the factory where you can purchase handicrafts, as they say "with heat, with heat."
To get from Moscow to Zhostov is not difficult. It is necessary to overcome only 50 km along the Ostashkovsky highway towards Mytishchi district. You can also easily get there by train or bus. Another option: from the metro Medvedkovo to Zhostovo bus number 438 is constantly running.