Buyko, Fedoskino Studio
Evening Ringing, 1999
Papier mâché, egg tempera, and lacquer
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Wendy Lee McCalvy
Photography: Jon Bolton

New Gifts to the Collection: Russian Lacquer Boxes

November 20, 2011 – January 15, 2012

New Gifts to the Collection: Russian Lacquer Boxes premieres a gift to the permanent collection of over forty 20th-century colorful Russian lacquer boxes from donor Wendy Lee McCalvy. This exhibition features intricately decorated, narrative works that combine painting with the creation of three-dimensional objects, epitomizing RAM’s objective to blur the line between fine art and craft. These lacquer objects are comparable to other vessels in the collection, functional or not, that have been decorated with glaze, paint, or other media.

Russian lacquer boxes are made of papier-mâché. Each object represents an intense period of labor—from the making of the box itself to the surface treatment. The surfaces are lacquered and hand painted in a variety of styles that reflect regional interests and traditions. Russian fairy tales and legendary figures show up often, sharing space with popular culture and political subjects. Rooted in icon painting as well as social and cultural changes, the Russian lacquer ware tradition that has blossomed since the late eighteenth century is connected to the nation’s identity and commerce. The four historically important centers for this craft—the villages of Kholui, Palekh, Fedoskino, and Mstiora—are all represented with this exhibition at RAM.

More About the Exhibition

Press Room

New Gifts to the Collection: Russian Lacquer Boxes

November 20, 2011 – January 15, 2012
Buyko, Fedoskino Studio
Evening Ringing, 1999
Papier mâché, egg tempera, and lacquer
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Wendy Lee McCalvy
Photography: Jon Bolton, Racine

New Gifts to the Collection: Russian Lacquer Boxes premieres a gift to the permanent collection of over forty 20th-century colorful Russian lacquer boxes from donor Wendy Lee McCalvy. This exhibition features intricately decorated, narrative works that combine painting with the creation of three-dimensional objects, epitomizing RAM’s objective to blur the line between fine art and craft. These lacquer objects are comparable to other vessels in the collection, functional or not, that have been decorated with glaze, paint, or other media.

Russian lacquer boxes are made of papier-mâché. Each object represents an intense period of labor—from the making of the box itself to the surface treatment. The surfaces are lacquered and hand painted in a variety of styles that reflect regional interests and traditions. Russian fairy tales and legendary figures show up often, sharing space with popular culture and political subjects. Rooted in icon painting as well as social and cultural changes, the Russian lacquer ware tradition that has blossomed since the late eighteenth century is connected to the nation’s identity and commerce. The four historically important centers for this craft—the villages of Kholui, Palekh, Fedoskino, and Mstiora—are all represented with this exhibition at RAM.

More About the Exhibition

Press Room

Gallery of Work

Exhibitions at RAM are made possible by:

Platinum Sponsors

The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd
David Charak
Judith and David Flegel Fund
Ron and Judith Isaacs
Nicholas and Nancy Kurten
Rcf Logo 2021
Windgate Foundation

Diamond Sponsors

City of Racine’s Grow Racine Grant
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Arts Foundation

Gold Sponsors

Anonymous
Tom and Irene Creecy
Richard and Patricia Ehlert
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.
Wisconsin Arts Board

Silver Sponsors

Anonymous
Baird
Beta Diagnostic Labs
A.C. Buhler Family
Lucy G. Feller
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Jim Harris
Sharon and Tom Harty
Horizon Retail Construction, Inc.
Lise Iwon
J. Jeffers & Co.
Johnson Financial Group
Dorothy MacVicar
Jan Serr and John Shannon

Bronze Sponsors

Ellen and Joseph Albrecht
Andis Foundation
Susan Boland
Virginia Buhler
Dave’s Wine Garage
Educators Credit Union
Express Employment Professionals
Bill and Debbie Keland
Susan Manalli
Jean and Alex Mandli, Jr.
The Prairie School
Cathy Stanghellin
Twin Disc, Inc.

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