Zhostovo painting, Folk art museum in Mytishchinsky District, Russia
Zhostovo painting is a folk art tradition in Mytishchinsky District, Russia, specializing in decorating metal trays with floral motifs. The workshop produces pieces in more than 150 different shapes, from small trays to large-format examples, all of which are numbered.
The Vishnyakov brothers founded the first workshop in the village of Zhostovo in 1825 and began making painted metal trays there. Later the techniques spread across the region and the tradition developed over generations.
Every tray is painted freehand without stencils, so no two pieces look the same and each painter follows their own vision of flower arrangements. The dark backgrounds make the bright colors stand out and give the motifs a sense of depth.
A visit to the factory shows the individual steps of production and often allows direct contact with the craftspeople. Most trays are sturdy enough for daily use but can also serve as wall decoration.
The painters use special brushes with long soft hairs that pick up multiple colors at once and create smooth transitions. This technique makes it possible to apply light and shadow in a single brushstroke.
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