Nicolai Medvedev is a master of intarsia, a labor-intensive form of lapidary art that flourished in Western Europe during the 18th century. Medvedev began reviving this intricate method of mosaic over two decades ago using modern technology and the finest gem materials. Medvedev began his formal art training at the age of twelve and continued for fourteen years, including several years of impressionist painting at the prestigious Art Institute of Moscow. An interest in Middle Asian jewelry, with its inlays and gemstone overlays, and the Faberge-style craftsmanship he discovered at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg led him to try his hand at intarsia. Since immigrating to the United States in 1980, he has focused entirely on intarsia, developing his own approach and techniques, and is now widely considered to be one of the world's premier intarsia artist. Because intarsia involves such a high degree of intricacy and is created on such a small scale, the amount of concentration and time involved in producing one piece is incredible. Though usually in the midst of several pieces at once, Medvedev averages a few months of work on a smaller box while a larger box may take him up to two years to complete. Medvedev's art has been displayed extensively, including exhibits at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art in Chicago, and the Gems and Minerals Hall of the SmithsonianMuseum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. His talent and work is recognized by collectors worldwide and can be found in private collections including those of several royal families. In 1991 he won first place in the category Objects of Art in the American Gem Trade Association's prestigious Cutting Edge Competition.
