N. A. Demidov’s Lacquer Study in the Moscow Slobodskoy Mansion (1782–1784): Creation History, an Attempt at Reconstruction

Abstract

The article reveals the history of creation and artistic features of the lacquer study of N. A. Demidov in the Moscow Slobodskoy mansion (1782–1784). N. A. Demidov’s lacquer study in the Moscow Slobodskoy mansion is a unique project in the history of Russian decorative and applied art of the second half of the 18th century. Little has survived of Nizhny Tagil’s lacquers of the 18th century. Therefore, it is important to give a careful and comprehensive analysis of this unique large-scale project, which confirms the high level of development of the lacquer art in the Ural Demidov estate. The colourful lacquered panels — the dominant type of the interior decoration — have not survived, but some documentary sources, and indirect information allows the author to restore the artistic image of this amazing creation of the Ural masters. The research is the first attempt to identify the original source, which could be used to create the colourful compositions of the lacquered panels. In addition, the collected data enable the author to create a virtual image of N. A. Demidov’s lacquer study, which took a special place among the sights of the Moscow estate.

Keywords

• Демидовы
• Нижний Тагил
• лаковая живопись
• лакировщики Худояровы
• московский Слободской дом-дворец
• Ж.-Л. Бюффон
• Мария Сибилла Мериан
• Сан-Суси.