Alexandra Shchekotikhina-Pototskaya (1892-1967)

For a similar composition of the same year see Matchmaking. Egypt in exhibition catalogue, State Russian Museum, Aleksandra Shchekatikhina-Pototskaya 1892-1967, St Petersburg, 2009, illustrated p. 103, no. 116.

Born into a family of Old Believers, Alexandra Shchekotikhina-Pototskaya was particularly drawn to Russian folklore and icon painting. In 1918 Sergei Chekhonin invited her to join the State Porcelain Factory, where she quickly became one of the most innovative and creative designers. Her colourful works often depict subjects from Russian folklore such as accordion players (see lot 360) or joyful peasants, depicted in the present lot. A plate painted with a dancing peasant woman, almost identical to this drawing, was produced by the State Porcelain Factory in 1922 (see T. Nosovich and I. Popova, Gosudarstvennyi Farforovyi Zavod, 1904-1944 [State Porcelain Factory, 1904-1944], St Petersburg, 2005, p. 291).