Ivan Pokhitonov (1850-1923)

This charming oil depicts Pokhitonov's family estate, Matrionovka, which belonged to the artist's mother, Varvara Bylich. Painted in 1881, Pokhitonov was by this point beginning to achieve significant recognition in the West, captivating Parisian artistic society with his delicate miniature paintings; he was also missing Russia acutely and subsequently made a series of visits to his homeland. Another depiction of his mother's estate, depicted from another angle, was painted in Brussels in 1923 from a photograph. According to the inscription, this painting was presented by the artist to Eugénie von Wulfert, his wife's sister and the mother of his illegitimate son Boris, on the occasion of her name day on 24th of December 1892 (the Julian calendar).

This work will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of the artist's work being prepared by Olivier Bertrand.