Gzhel folk craft. Features of traditional Russian painting with Gzhel and its place in the modern world. Elements and patterns of Gzhel painting

GZHEL. Fishing history

This craft got its name from the name of the village of Gzhel in the Moscow region, where it actually originated.

In the Gzhel region, since the 17th century, clay mining was widely carried out. The local clay was highly prized and considered one of the best. In 1663, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich issued a decree on the extraction of clay in the Gzhel volost for the manufacture of medical vessels.

The history of fishing in Gzhel begins in the 18th century. The range of products by Gzhel craftsmen was very large: dishes, bricks, tiles, and even children's toys. Gzhel supplied Moscow with all this. The craftsmen made hundreds of thousands of clay toys a year. The demand for products was great.

Each master possessed his own style of painting, and the product reflected his idea of \u200b\u200bthe world around him. The fishery was also influenced by the tastes of buyers. In the middle of the 18th century, pottery in Russia began to develop rapidly, but no one succeeded in competing with the Gzhel masters.

The Gzhel craft reached its highest historical prosperity at the end of the 18th century. At this time, craftsmen who made jugs, kumgans and kvassniks achieved special skill. The master had to have great patience and high painting skills, since it was made from an unbaked product, which was covered with white enamel. In addition to dishes and clay toys, small majolica plastic was made in Gzhel. Most often, these were scenes from everyday life - soldiers, peasant women, ladies and men, busy with their own affairs. Everything was done in a simple and intelligible, but very expressive form.

For several decades, Gzhel craftsmen also made painted stove and fireplace tiles. The history of fishing in Gzhel can be traced back to the surviving samples. Products by Gzhel craftsmen are presented in the largest museums in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Kitchen utensils - jugs, mugs, ferments, large plates, were painted by craftsmen with flowers, birds, trees and architecture. The drawings have an excellent understanding of their decorative purpose. For painting used blue, green, yellow colors in brown outlines. Dishes made and painted by Gzhel craftsmen were necessarily supplemented with figures of animals or people. Jugs, kumgans, teapots became part of the plot composition. The handle of such a jug could be made in the shape of a branch, and the spout in the shape of a bird's head. There was no point in looking for the similarities of each element of such a composition with reality, since the master embodied his vision of the world in them.

In 1802, near the village of Minino, light clay was found, after which the production of semi-faience began in this region. Jugs and ferments were made from it. However, these items looked rough and were short-lived due to the fragility of the material. From the second half of the twenties of the 19th century, blue colors began to predominate in Gzhel painting.

At the beginning of the 19th century, white clay was found in Bronnitsky district, suitable for making porcelain, after which the first porcelain factory was built in the village of Volodino. The founder of this factory, Pavel Kulikov, learned the secrets of porcelain production at a factory in the village of Perovo. According to the testimony, in order to keep the porcelain technology secret, Kulikov was engaged in the production of himself, resorting to the help of two potters and one worker. From this small enterprise, the production of porcelain began to develop in Gzhel.

In 1812, twenty-five factories for the production of porcelain dishes were already operating. The Laptev and Ivanov factories in the village of Kuzyaevo are especially popular. Many craftsmen left their mark or signature on the items, so the names of the craftsmen Kokun, Srosley, Gusyatnikov have come down to us. The factories produced toys from porcelain in the shape of birds and animals, as well as figurines with scenes of Russian life. The items were covered with white glaze on which the drawing was applied. Painters used blue, yellow, purple and brown paint, and the drawings were in the folk style. Flowers, leaves, grass are the main motives of the Gzhel painting.

Over time, the demand for porcelain increased, which boosted production. Meanwhile, the production of traditional Gzhel majolica was declining. Gradually, porcelain and faience became the basis of the Gzhel craft. The time of economic prosperity of Gzhel is coming, craft workshops become small factories.

The range of products is also expanding. Now, along with jugs, kumgans and dishes, they began to produce cups, milk jugs, teapots, oil cans, inkpots and candlesticks. All products continue to be painted with multi-color drawings. The Gzhel craftsmen complement the dining sets with plot sculptures. Despite the competition from large porcelain factories, Gzhel's products were in demand due to the preservation of the folk character of art in it and the touching naivety of depicting the scenes of the surrounding life.

Starting in the second half of the 19th century, Gzhel painting acquired a restrained character, now only cobalt blue is used for it. Blue drawing on a white background, reinforced with golden outlines - a new stage in the development of Gzhel art. The end of the 19th century became the period of the highest flowering in the history of the Gzhel craft. At this time, the technological processes of making earthenware and porcelain were being improved. Since the middle of the 19th century, Gzhel porcelain production has been concentrated in the hands of the Kuznetsov brothers. With the advent of Soviet power, the factories were nationalized, and production fell into decay. The restoration of the Gzhel fishery began only in the middle of the 20th century.

What is "gzhel"? Craft or high art? The answer to this question lies on the surface. Gzhel, whose history goes back to the beginning of the 14th century, has managed to visit several forms over several centuries. This "inconstancy" does not in any way detract from the merits of the craft. For the first time the folk craft "Gzhel" was mentioned in the posthumous will of Ivan Kalita, the Grand Duke of Moscow, in 1340, who ordered his son to inherit the ceramics profitable workshops.

Gzhel or Zhgel

The name "gzhel", the history of which is still controversial, nevertheless has existed in its present form for a long time. The spread of opinions is of no practical importance. Some etymologists claim that it originated from the river Gzhelka, Gzholka or Gzhelka, flowing in the upper Dnieper region, other experts are inclined to believe that the original folk craft "Gzhel" was called zhgel, since ceramics were burned and burned. And the letters were already rearranged by the Russian commoners themselves, who are distinguished by the age-old habit of altering, paraphrasing and inverting everything. For example, a Russian person pronounces the word "omnibus" as "hug". And nothing can be done about it. So here - zhgel and gzhel.

White clay for pharmacists

What is Gzhel? This is a place that has long been famous for its high-quality white clay, the extraction of which was established back in the 17th century. In 1663, a decree was issued stating: "in the Gzhel volost to get clay, which is suitable for alchemical and pharmaceutical vessels." And 15 carts loaded with clay were delivered to Moscow to the pharmacy order. Since then, the Gzhel clay-extracting plant has become a supplier of white clay for Moscow pharmacists. And Russian scientist Mikhail Lomonosov said: "There is hardly a cleaner land, without admixture, more than Gzhel, which chemists call a virgin, for its whiteness and purity." In addition to snow-white varieties of clay, in the "Gzhel bush" there are several other types of industrial clay hidden underground, suitable for the production of various products, including artistic ones. Scientists tried to determine the volume of reserves using the method of simple calculations, but nothing came of it - it became obvious that the explored formations are just a small part of the actually existing deposits. The conclusion is unambiguous: there will be enough raw materials for more than one generation.

What is Gzhel from the point of view of pottery masters

For nearly four hundred years in the Gzhel workshops, they made pottery from clay, stove tiles and simple children's toys.

In 1812, there were 25 factories in the province that produced a huge amount of kitchen utensils. The products of the Laptev and Yermil Ivanov factories located in the village of Kuzyaevo were especially appreciated. Buyers paid attention not only to the factory mark, it was important to make sure that the product was made by one of the three most respected potters: Ivan Kokun, Nikifor Gusyatnikov or Ivan Srosley. At that time, statuettes, animals, birds, horses and dolls were the forerunners of the world-famous Gzhel art products. Each item certainly found its buyer.

Decoration of products

What is Gzhel from the point of view of foreigners? After a layer of especially plastic light gray clay was found near the village of Minino, the production of faience was established at local porcelain factories, from which elegant jugs and vases, ferments and kumgans were obtained. And in the first half of the 19th century, the production of classic blue and white Gzhel dishes began. Foreigners, lovers of Russian culture, immediately drew attention to unusual products that were cheap and their beauty surpassed the famous porcelain masterpieces of German masters. Thus, the phrase "gzhel - dishes" acquired a certain meaning. Orders were poured on the artel workers, this was the beginning of the era of genuine Gzhel art.

At that time in Russia there was not a sufficient amount of earthenware or porcelain ceramics for the kitchen, in wealthy houses they used table silver, and people of average income were content with scattered plates, cups and saucers made of poor quality baked clay. Therefore, it is not surprising that with the advent of Gzhel dishes, a real boom began. It immediately became clear to merchants and industrialists that the tableware market needs a huge number of beautiful and teahouses, simple and festive. And the Gzhel dishes were the best suited for these purposes.

Old Believer Yakov Kuznetsov

In 1812, a resident of the village of Novokharitonovskoye, a certain Yakov Vasilyevich Kuznetsov, an Old Believer by faith, opened a small porcelain production, which soon grew to the size of a huge enterprise with branches in Rybinsk, Tver and Riga. Products in the "Gzhel" style, photos of which are presented on the page, required high professionalism in their manufacture. In addition, each new plant also needed specialists, and Yakov Vasilyevich began to invite masters and artists from outside. People came with whole families, they were provided with accommodation and comfortable conditions were created in the expectation that they would stay for a long time. And so it was, the children of the invited specialists inherited the profession of their parents and continued with honor the work they had begun. Thus, the porcelain industry developed successfully and the Gzhel craft flourished. At the same time, the share of orders that were made by foreigners accounted for more than 80 percent of the total volume of manufactured products. The word combination "gzhel - dishes" dominated trade. More and more products were required, porcelain factories began to suffocate from a shortage of labor, and there was nowhere to take qualified specialists. The breeders have doubled the wages of workers and by a third the wages of employees. Those wishing to work at the Gzhel enterprises immediately increased and the personnel issue was resolved for some time. The factories started working in full force and now there was enough production for the Russian market in excess and still remained for abroad.

Material and technology

The deposit of white clay in the Gzhel regions contains 17 varieties, of which two main ones can be distinguished - the first for the production of earthenware and porcelain, this is a "white-burning" variety, and the second - red ceramics "Gzhel" and majolica.

The Tsar of Moscow and All Russia saw the huge potential of porcelain production. After some deliberation, the monarch made a decision. Serfdom was abolished throughout the Gzhel land, artisans received their free imperial decree and were assigned to the Palace departments. Scientist Mikhailo Lomonosov, together with his associate Dmitry Vinogradov, discovered a new porcelain recipe, which fully corresponded to the unique structure of Gzhel clay. The discovery was made in 1748 and since then began the history of Russian porcelain in a global sense. In a short time, the Imperial Factory was built, which became the main industrial enterprise for the production of faience products in Russia. And ceramics "Gzhel" soon acquired industrial status.

The popularity of the Gzhel fishing

In the 19th century, Gzhel ceramics spread throughout Russian territory. Tellingly, the more products were produced in porcelain factories, the better they became. The archival annals of the Imperial Chancellery of that time contain an order for dishes for the royal table, written out to the Gzhel fine porcelain manufacturer Stepan Afanasyev: "... for the overseas style of airplane kindness ...", which means "in accordance with the best foreign quality." And we must assume that the master-artists who worked for the manufacturer Afanasyev brilliantly coped with the task. Even then, faience factories were competing with each other, trying to get ahead of each other in product quality. It was a healthy competition with no rivalry. On the contrary, the craftsmen tried to share their experience and kindly revealed the secrets of production to one another.

Classic blue and white

Gradually, all the products of Russian porcelain factories, produced under the brand name "Gzhel", the photos testify to this, switched to coloring in cobalt blue. This color has become "trademark" first of all for tableware, and then for all other products, toys and souvenirs. Monochrome cobalt, a beautiful bright blue color, was obtained in 1735 by the Swedish mineralogist Georg Brand from pyrite.

In addition to the "corporate" color, Gzhel porcelain items were distinguished by perfectly executed plot drawings. The artists drew spontaneously, without sketches and sketches, immediately "clean", and they did it. The Gzhel drawing is always a verified artistic image that is very rarely repeated. Blue-and-white items are produced "carbon copy" only as souvenirs, and even then in small batches. Basically "Gzhel" - copies made at a good artistic level.

Drawing technique

The technologies used in the Gzhel production are diverse and quite effective. At the same time, craftsmen do not look for simple ways, they work according to complex schemes, mastering new techniques on the go. Recently, Gzhel artists began to use the so-called mixed painting technique, overglaze and underglaze, when the main cobalt pattern is applied to wet clay, under the glaze, and a more precise ornament is drawn over the glaze. I must say that this method was the last in a chain of innovations, since it was then that Gzhel products ceased to be a luxury and entered into everyday use. Thus, blue and white sets, caskets, children's toys and other items were put on stream.

Times of stagnation

After the 1917 revolution, most of the porcelain factories were closed, as there was no one to do business in production - talented engineers, all as one, emigrated, and the remaining staff could not cope with the tasks. Nevertheless, after twenty years of inactivity, the art of fine porcelain began to recover little by little. The revival process was launched thanks to the selfless devotion of ceramic artists, enthusiasts of the Gzhel art craft.

The artist N.I.Bessarabova made her contribution to the revival of Gzhel art, she was supported by the sculptor-ceramist, famous art critic A.B.Saltykov. Under their leadership, folk craft was completely restored and again blue-and-white products shone with gilding all over the world.

"Gzhel" today

Currently, it continues to develop, a new generation of talented artists has appeared, working in a traditional manner, but using ultra-modern technologies. "Gzhel bush" is located sixty kilometers from Moscow, stretching in the Murom direction, it unites 27 villages, in each of which hereditary potters and artists live and work.

Today's "Gzhel" is the pride of the country, the Russian business card in the field of fine arts, along with Khokhloma, Zhostovo craft, Fedoskino miniatures - all these are folk crafts of Russia. "Gzhel" rightfully heads this prestigious list.

Gzhel is a folk craft in the form of painted porcelain products. A distinctive feature of such products is a cobalt pattern on a snow-white background. This craft got its name from the name of the village of Gzhel in the Moscow region, where it actually originated.

For several decades, Gzhel craftsmen also made painted stove and fireplace tiles. The history of fishing in Gzhel can be traced back to the surviving samples. The products of Gzhel craftsmen are presented in the largest museums in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

At the beginning of the 19th century, white clay was found in Bronnitsky district, suitable for making porcelain, after which the first porcelain factory was built in the village of Volodino. The founder of this factory, Pavel Kulikov, learned the secrets of the production of porcelain at a factory in the village of Perovo. According to the testimony, in order to keep the porcelain technology secret, Kulikov was engaged in the production himself, resorting to the help of two potters and one worker. From this small enterprise, the production of porcelain began to develop in Gzhel.

The range of products is also expanding. Now, along with jugs, kumgans and dishes, they began to produce cups, milk jugs, teapots, oil cans, inkpots and candlesticks. All products continue to be painted with multi-color drawings. The Gzhel masters complement the dining sets with plot sculptures. Despite the competition from large porcelain factories, the products of Gzhel were in demand due to the preservation of the folk character of art in it and the touching naivety of depicting the scenes of the surrounding life.

From the beginnings to the present day ...

Nowadays, Gzhel is usually understood as a type of Russian folk art - ceramic products painted in a special style. A feature of the Gzhel painting is the use of three main colors: white, which forms the background of the product, blue and light blue, with which the drawing itself is performed. Gzhel dishes and other Gzhel products are well known not only inRussia, but all over the world.

Few people know that the area, located in the southeast of the Moscow region, was originally called Gzhel. The inhabitants of the villages and villages located in this area were excellent masters of pottery. And only in the distant future, the name of the area received one of the most famous types of folk craft.

One of the reasons for the development of this particular craft was the high-quality Gzhel clay. After all, as you know, initially a certain type of activity appears exactly where there is material. The development of pottery in the Gzhel area began as early as the 4th century BC. In the XIV century, the Gzhel land became the center of the ceramic production of Russia. It was there that ceramics were made for the Grand Duke Ivan Kalita himself.

Production expanded, new technologies appeared, and mastership of potters. At the beginning of the 18th century, the production of porcelain products was mastered, and the so-called "semi-faience" was also obtained. It was his masters who painted with blue paint, which later became a symbol of Gzhel products. Initially, golden tones, fashionable at all times, prevailed in the coloring of porcelain products.

Unfortunately, at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries, the industrial crisis in Russia had an impact on folk art. The production of ceramics was re-established only in the middle of the last century. It was then that a new design was developed in the Vperyod Ceramics, an organized artel - blue painting on a white background. Products were made of porcelain, and the base of the paint was high-temperature cobalt. It was on the basis of this artel that the Gzhel association was created, which actually brought together the best masters of this art. In the late 80s, the leading artists of the factory were awarded the Repin State Prize "For achievements in the revival, formation and development of the art of Gzhel, in the creation of a modern style of Gzhel porcelain with cobalt underglaze painting".