Lot 2181 Dα

This exceptional work by the famous Russian painter Fedot Vasilievich Sychkov is a scaled-down second version of his painting "Holiday" from 1928, which is today housed in the art museum in Ulyanovsk (oil on canvas, 71.3 x 102 cm, inventory no. 807) and which is illustrated and listed in the painter's only large catalogue of works, which unfortunately is not a complete catalogue raisonné (Saransk 2010, pp. 20-21 fig, p. 299, no. 1).
Sychkov was born in 1870 in the village of Kochealevo in Mordovia to a very poor family. When his father died, his mother was forced to go begging to continue supporting the family. His talent for painting became apparent early on, which is why Sychkov began training in an icon painting workshop. He earned a little money on the side by painting portraits of the inhabitants of his village.
His wish to study at the Petersburg Academy seemed unattainable. However, after painting the work "Foundation of the Arapovo Railway Station" (1892) for Ivan Arapov, a general from St. Petersburg who lived on an estate near Kochealevo, the latter supported and encouraged the young Sychkov's wish. In the same year he then began his artistic training in St. Petersburg.
After his studies, the young artist returned to his homeland. He devoted himself primarily to painting portraits of his compatriots. His works depict the simple life of the people in Mordovia, but at the same time capture their cheerful exuberance, their joy in gatherings and festivities as well as their solidarity with each other. Thus this painting, in which the radiant white of the Russian winter landscape meets the bright colours of the traditional costumes and the cheerful mood of its inhabitants in a way that is as harmonious as it is rich in contrast, is also a great example of Sychkov's extraordinary talent.
His works can be found in the collections of the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, the museum of the Mordovian capital Saransk as well as in important private collections worldwide.