Attributed to Foty Krasitsky

Original canvas with faint stretcher marks in places. There is a 1cm chip of paint loss in the top left corner and a few other chips of paint loss to the left and right edges in places and the lower left corner is slightly worn. There is a layer of light surface dirt and fine lines of craquelure in places and the varnish is slightly discoloured. Under UV there are small areas of retouching in places throughout. Held in a simple 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."

Krasitsky was the nephew of the great Ukrainian nationalist poet Taras Shevshenko, whose work in many ways forms the foundation of Ukrainian literature. Krasitsky showed an aptitude for drawing and painting from an early age, and his studies eventually led him from Kiev and Odessa to St. Petersburg, where for a short period he was taught by Ilya Repin. Repin, himself Ukrainian, encouraged him to give expression to his Ukrainian roots, and is known to have praised his early sketches for what was to become his greatest masterpiece, The Guest from Zaporozhie. The painting depicts a young child, who will one day himself become a Cossack, being introduced on a summer’s day to a visiting guest of his grandfather’s, himself a former Cossack. The child gazes shyly at his own future. The painting is one of the best-loved Ukrainian images, and often the subject of school dissertations.  At least three versions are known; one of 1901, one of 1915 and one of 1916, in the Lvov and Ukrainian National Museums in Kiev. The present version is dated 1912, and is larger in size than any of the three mentioned above.  The Cyrillic inscription in the lower left corner appears to read Velichenyia s pechati v kraskakh.