Fedor Vasilievich Sychkov was known for his genre scenes, which can be found in museums and collections worldwide. Born into a modest family in the village of Kochelaevo, in eastern Russia, the artist was fortunately taken under the wing of General Ivan Arapov, who lived in a neighboring village. It was thanks to him that Sychkov entered the School of the Imperial Society for the Encouragement of the Arts in St Petersburg. His obvious talent and perseverance enabled him to complete the course in three years instead of six, after which he entered the eminent Imperial Academy of Arts.

It is precisely his proximity to the rural life of his homeland, combined with his fine art education that makes ...