The say that modern Matreshka concentrates in itself the whole wealth of artistic traditions of the Russian folk painting. The Russian woman is a favourite character of original Matreshka. At first glance it seems that contemporary artists can hardly add something to this traditional image. But they indeed manage to derive unexpected freshness from archaic image, setting their imagination free. Matreshkas, which were created on the basis of well-known Russian paintings, are especially interesting in this regard.

Generally, painting of such Matreshkas is remarkable for elegant selection of colors, rich colour spectrum and decorative smartness. Sometimes artists find quite unexpected solutions based upon painting of well-known traditional centers.

Matreshka’s production principle remains unchanged till the present time. It preserves all techniques of lathe art of the Russian skilled craftsmen. As a rule, matreshkas are made of lime-tree and birch wood. Trees, which are selected as raw material for matreshkas, are usually sawn down in early spring, purged from bark, leaving bark rings in some points in order to prevent cracking of wood during its drying. Thus, treated logs are piled with gaps for air access. Usually wood is stored outdoors for several years to bring it up to certain standard, excluding its overdrying or underdrying. Only experienced master can determine degree of fabrication. When ready, logs are sawn into pieces for future Matreshka. Piece of wood passes up to 15 operations in the hands of turner, before it becomes Matreshka. A turner shall possess outstanding skill in order to turn piece of wood into Matreshka. He shall wield such set of tools as knife and chisels of different length and configuration. As a rule, the smallest unopened Matreshka is turned. When the next Matreshka is made, which is opened one, its bottom part is turned at first. Then Matreshka is turned up to the required size and is cut off. Then a ring is made, which will hold the top part of Matreshka, and its lower part is taken up. Then Matreshka’s head is turned and enough wood is removed from within to put it on the top ring. Naturally, all these processes are executed by eye, by intuition and require great skill. Top part of Matreshka, which is put on the bottom part, dries up, tightly encloses the ring and perfectly holds on it. Upon termination of lathe works they cover wooden surface by starch glue in order to make it ideally smooth and to control spreading of paints. Then Matreshka is dried. At last it is ready to painting.

 

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