Mezen products: description, types, symbols. Products of Mesensk craftsmen

Where did this craft come from? The village of Palashchel, which is located on the picturesque bank of the Mezen River, defined the name of the whole direction in Decorative Russian art. In some prints, you can see another name for this painting - Palashchelskaya. Art painting on wood - Mezensky painting amazes with original ornaments and direct drawings.

The fishery became very popular in the 19th century. Boxes and spinning wheels from the Mezen River spread along the Pinega and Onega. Mezenskaya painting is a decorative and applied art. The beginning takes in the days of the Slavic tribes.

Mezenskaya painting. Discussion of primary sources

What gave rise to such a painting is unknown. Some historians say that the Mesensk painting is from Komi, others believe that the ancient Greeks had their original source with their drawings. At present it is difficult to establish, since hundreds of years have passed since its inception. Wide acceptance of art has been received since the beginning of 1904. Academician Rybakov found in the painting elements of Scythian culture. The rock paintings of Zaonezhye saw in it Zhegalova SK.

Acquisition of children to folk craft

Familiarity of pre-school children with the Mezen craft is an introduction to the culture and way of life of the northern peoples. When applying patterns and ornaments of painting, the children's artistic taste develops, the vocabulary is enriched with the names of the ornament: rhombus, curl, zigzag, spiral, contour, etc. Children learn to draw simple geometric figures, animals. On the one hand, the patterns of the ornament, especially the animals, are pretentious and abstract. Preschoolers like to copy the teacher's proposed drawings of a deer or a horse. Each image differs from the other by the appearance of additional elements. They are so attractive and understandable that children repeat them with pleasure. This once again confirms that this painting originated as a rock carvings.

Mezenskaya spinning wheel

Spinning wheels are the products of the Mesen craftsmen, who were first awarded the mural in ancient times. Their uniqueness consisted not only in the refinement of the drawing, but also in form. They were made from a single piece of wood, and the bottom served as a root.

The face of each distaff was painted the same: the upper part represented the sky, the middle - the earth, and the lower - the underworld. In the sky there should be birds and a window for communication with higher powers. Obligatory elements were deer, horses, and a tree with a bird. In the last row, horses and deer were also depicted, but they were black. On the reverse side of the distaff could be an inscription, for example, dedicated to a loved one, if the spinning wheel was a gift of the husband to his wife. Spinning wheel was also an indispensable attribute of every northern girl. When girlish gatherings were going to gather, everyone put her spinning wheel so that her face could be seen, which was painted individually. When the girl got married and moved to live with her husband, the spinning wheel followed her and was called herself. The spinning wheel in the house was in a special position and was treated with respect and reverence.

Technique of painting

In those days, only the male population was engaged in such prestigious craft as the Mezen painting. The tradition was to inherit it. There were always two colors in the Mesenskaya painting: red and black. The first Mesensk drawings were painted with red clay and black soot, which were dissolved in larch resin. Wrote drawings with a wooden stick, feathers of birds or a brush made of human hair. The pattern was applied to the untreated wood, then the product was covered with linseed oil, and from this the tree became golden.

Since then, the technique of applying the mesene painting has not changed except for the implements of drawing. Currently, the advantage is given to the brush.

The ornament was not arbitrary, but symbolic. The interpretation of some characters has already been lost, but the technique has remained the same. All elements of the ornament are static and only because they are repeated many times, the figure shows dynamics and movement.

Mezenskaya painting, symbols, elements of an ornament

Symbols to their roots go into mythology and reflect the culture and vital values of the peoples of the North. The patterns are characterized by multi-tiered patterns, which indicates shamanic origin. Three levels symbolize three worlds: heaven, earth and dungeon. On the lower and middle levels there are animals: horses, deer. The upper level, heavenly, is filled with birds. Animals are depicted in red and black tones, which can also be interpreted as a combination of living and dead worlds. The horse of the peoples of the north is in a special position and the meaning of the amulet is important. It symbolizes the life principle and is also a source of well-being. Each level is separated by a strip, which consists of repeating patterns.

The earth in the figures is denoted by a straight line. If it is located below, then this earthly firmament, if above, then heavenly. The land in the Mesensk painting is of great importance, since it is fertility, protection, the mother's amulet. The graphic image of the earth in the figures is a square.

The water in the figure may be indicated by oblique lines. It has several meanings. Heavenly water, which irrigates the land as rain. This life-giving moisture can be with hail. Can be represented by a wavy line, be near a straight line or near waterfowl.

Wind. The small short lines that accompany the ornament designate the wind or fresh air. This element is connected with mysticism and has a Divine origin. This is what exists, but it is invisible and intangible. In addition to divine significance, this symbol can also denote demonic images and represent destructive force. Like every wind, it can be light and pleasant, and can carry rage and destruction, but without it, earthly existence is impossible. This is the creative beginning. Mezenskaya painting depicts the wind as a subdued element in the form of dashes on crossed lines. This composition is similar to a windmill.

The value of the symbol "spiral"

In the opinion of Academician B. Rabakov, the spiral in the Mezen painting refers to mythology. This is the sun that orbits. Mezenskaya painting is replete with many spirals that are present throughout the picture. They are everywhere: they revolve around animals and are present in ornament. The spiral can designate not only the sun, but also tornadoes, whirlpools and is the most common element of decor. Spirals are different. If the spiral is compressed, It denotes the energy coil. Approximated to the circle symbolizes the cyclical nature of the seasons. The combination of female and male energy means a double helix. The spiral, tending upwards, corresponds to the male energy, tending downwards - feminine. The duality of the spiral can still denote procreation.

Elements, symbolizing prosperity in the mural painting of Mesensk craftsmen

The symbolism and elements of the Mesensk painting, which symbolized prosperity, were depicted everywhere, wishing themselves good. They were disposed on the dishes, which foreshadowed never starving, on wedding attire, which meant being fertile and having a complete family. In general, the entire mesene painting is devoted to abundance. This is expressed in the images of flowers, fruits, seeds. Sometimes two-rowed was used, where the symbols were arranged in the order of the cells of the chessboard. The rhombus as a symbol of abundance was often located in the form of a continuous chain, which indicated the tree of life.

Meaning of the symbol "birds"

A bird is a popular sign that means gifts and a harbinger of good news, especially if it sits on the top of a tree. The bird is perhaps the most common symbol used in the drawings of folk craftsmen. Northern peoples have a tradition of placing birds from a tree in the corner of their hut, which must necessarily be red (assumes an imaginary tree). Swans, geese, ducks signified dead ancestors, who protect and help living relatives in a difficult moment.

Animals in Symbolism

Among the most common symbols in the Mesen painting are images of animals such as deer and horses. And in the Mesensk painting horses have an unusual coloration, not characteristic of these animals. Their masters were painted in red and orange colors. Sometimes they are shaded bars. Instead of hooves often pretended pretentious feathers. The horses' legs were unnaturally thin and long.

In the drawings horses are usually placed opposite each other often with warring riders. Around the animals, solar symbols were often depicted.

Art of decorating with paints

Mezenskaya painting - arts and crafts. In addition to spinning wheels, the Mezenskaya painting was used to decorate household utensils (boxes, spinning wheels, boxes, bowls, chests, buckets, cups, spoons, sieves). Mezensky products were painted in the springtime. Making them for sale was a great help in every household. The sparrows in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were painted in contrast to spinning wheels by large rosettes, consisting of ovals and circles. Inclined bands decorated with hoops.

Mezensky products and these days are highly appreciated by amateurs of folk art. The art of painting the master of the village of Selishche Ivan Fatyanov inherited his father. He skillfully painted bows and successfully sold them. The oldest Russian dynasty of masters of painting were the Aksenovs. Known as their craft Fedotov, Novikov, Shishkin, Kuzmin. The most outstanding artist, the artist whose painting did not leave anyone indifferent, because he put all his heart into his work, was Fedotov Vasily Klimentevich, whose fellow villagers called Vasya Klimovich.

Modern scientists who study Mezen products regard the painting on them as agrarian. This is indicated by numerous rectangles, which symbolize plowed arable land. In such animals as "duck" and horse, the symbols of sunset and sunrise are recognized. Among the northern peoples, these animals were always associated with the sun: the solstice, the horse-fire.

Mezen products contain in the pictures an image of "chicken", which also decorated the roofs of houses along with horses. "The hens and the horse on the roof are quieter in the house," is a well-known Slavic proverb.

Palaschulskaya painting in our days

Now in the North in such cities as Arkhangelsk and Severodvinsk, many souvenirs are made in the style of the Mesensk painting.

The modern Mezen painting differs somewhat from the ancient one. It has become not so graphical. It is softer. This is because the tool used to change the drawing has changed - the feathers have changed their brushes. Mezenskaya painting today takes on a different meaning. Now only symbols and images are used that do not speak so eloquently about the life of northern peoples.