Russian lacquer art

Lacquerwork in Russia was inspired by work produced in the west. As early as the 18th century, the palaces of the czars were outfitted with lacquered wall paneling and furniture, albeit based on designs by foreign masters. Russian lacquer art received its decisive impulse toward the end of the 18th century when Moscow merchant Pyotr Ivanovich Korobov had the opportunity to see exhibits from Braunschweig's Stobwasser factory in Germany. In the 19th century, Russian lacquer established itself in Europe as a school in its own right. Lacquered snuffboxes, other boxes of various sizes and papier-mâché cases now came to the fore. While the lacquerwork of the factories closely followed Western models until around 1850, after this time the emphasis shifted clearly to Russian subjects. These include episodes from rural life, the popular motif of the troika ride, the representation of characteristic buildings and squares, and scenes from fairy tales. This development is one focus of the exhibition at the Museum für Lackkunst.