The artistic image of the Semenovskaya matryoshka in the Soviet and post-Soviet periods

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the artistic image of the Semenovskaya matryoshka (Semenovo's matryoshka doll) of the Soviet and post-Soviet periods. Over the hundred-year history of the existence of this traditional Nizhny Novgorod toy, artistic and stylistic features and the technology of its production have changed. Initially, it was a unique style all its own to wed folk motives to the colour patterns of classical Russian easel painting, which was later modified. These aspects of the manufacture of Semenovo’s turning doll in the second half of the 20th century have not yet been sufficiently comprehended in art history. This study, referring to the modern image of the Semenovskaya matryoshka, refers it in most cases to kitsch. The article presents the history of the creation of the Semenovskaya matryoshka doll, describes the classic examples of this turning doll of the Soviet period and the late 20th century, identifies and analyses the elements of kitsch in the nesting doll of the post-Soviet period. The author identifies the differences and similarities in the artistic embodiment of the toy of the two periods, and outlines the development of the Semenovo painting.