Fedot Vasilevich Sychkov

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com , an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This work on paper has not been examined out of its frame however, a visual appraisal of the front of the work reveals that it is in very good condition. The paper is healthy, the paint does not appear to have faded in any noticeable way and in its current frame, we recommend that the picture be hung as is.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Born into peasant family in Mordovia, Sychkov began his career with no money and little chance of success. At the age of twelve he moved to St. Petersburg, where eventually he gained admission to the St. Petersburg Academy of Fine Arts. His training under Repin informed his later oeuvre, and when he returned to Mordovia in 1900 he painted mostly children and peasants in his village. His paintings are thus not fictional representations of national identity; rather, they are real depictions of the traditional Russian peasant in scenes of the everyday.