The Art of Palekh: from icon painting to lacquer miniature 🤓On 6 November, the Russian House in Brussels hosted a lecture "The Art of Palekh: From Icon Painting to Lacquer Miniature" Dedicated to the history and traditions of Palekh art, the event introduced participants to the fascinating evolution of one of Russia’s most recognisable folk art crafts — from ancient icon painting to the world-famous lacquer miniature. 🗣️The lecture was delivered by Mikhail Butorin, a descendant of Palekh artists. He explored the history of the craft through his own family archives. His great-grandfather, Andrey Ivanovich Butorin, painted church interiors and restored icons for the Sheremetev family, while his close relatives were acquainted with the artists who pioneered Palekh miniature painting. Guests discovered how icon-painting traditions laid the foundations for a new artistic style, when Palekh lacquer boxes gained international recognition, and what life is like in Palekh’s workshops today. 🤩Special attention was given to the distinctive features of handmade artworks and how to tell an authentic piece of art from a mass-produced souvenir.