Ivan Fyodorovich Grooth, 1717-1800

The canvas has been lined and there is a square patch measuring approx. 10cm.diameter to the reverse centre of the reverse. The paint surface is dirty and there is a layer of discoloured varnish. There are lines of craquelure throughout. . Examination under UV light reveals a patch of retouching to the area corresponding to the repair on the reverse and further flecks in places throughout. There are areas of fluourescing pigment on the hare's whistekrs and the dog's muzzle. Held in a gold painted wooden frame. Unexamined out of frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Ivan Groot came from a family of important artists. His father, Johann (1687-1764), was Court painter to the Duke of Wurttemburg while his brother Georg (1716-1749) was Court painter to Empress Elizaveta Petrovna of Russia and curator of the Imperial Art Collections.

 

Ivan first came to Russia in 1742, initially to work as a restorer, however his still lifes of animals and game caught the eye of the Empress, a keen hunter herself. In 1748 the Empress commissioned Groot to decorate the Monbijou Pavilion in the centre of the menagerie at Tsarskoe Selo.  In addition to the frescos on the cupola, Groot provided over 40 paintings depicting animals in cages; birds and animals in their natural environment; still lifes of dead wild-fowl and scenes of birds and animals hunting each other, as the present lot. The collection of paintings was subsequently hung in a dedicated gallery at the Academy of Arts, St. Petersburg until the early nineteenth century, but the whereabouts of most of these works is now unknown. Groot's paintings can be found in the museum at Tsarskoe Selo as well as the State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg.