This large and masterfully still life painitng created in 1830-1840 and on the basis of the similarity of composition, quality and style was attributed to the hand of great Russian still life painiter Ivan Fomich Chruzki ( 1810 Ulka by Vitebsk - 1885 Zakharevitchi by Polotsk). For comparison with famous still lifes by I.Khrutsky see under following links:

http://www.agniart.ru/rus/folder-11121~Fine-art-prints~Khrutsky-Ivan Khrutsky

http://www.museum.ru/N41546

http://www.abcgallery.com/K/khrutsky/khrutsky.html

Ivan Fomich Khrutsky was born into a family of Polish gentry in the village of Ulka , Vitebsk region. Little is known about his youth. In 1827 Khrutsky came to St.Petersburg and in 1830 entered the Academy of Arts.The first known works are dated 1832. The composition of the works is very simple, but the artist is very precise with details. Already in late 1830s his compositions become more and more complicated . The abundance of items painted with thoroughness and care roused admiration both in the public and the critics. The artist became very fashionable, everyone wanted his still lifes to decorate their houses. In 1836 the artist was awarded the Major Silver medal of the academy for his still lifes and then minor gold medal. In 1839 he was awarded the title of the Academician.

After his father´s death in 1840 Khrutsky left St. Petersburg forever and settled in the family estate in Zakharevichi by Polotsk . He worked in Wilno and in Zakharevichi . Besides of still life and religion painitngs he also worked here on portraits.But in the history of the russian art he entered as the author of impressive still-lifes , may be because they were executed for the mass market in accordance with the tastes of the public and nowadays practically every art museum has a sample. It´s a pity , that his other works are difficult to find.

Биография художника на русском - по ссылке: http://www.c-cafe.ru/days/bio/1/032.php

Inscription: unsigned

Technique: oil on canvas. Original luxuriousy hand-crafted gold-plated frame.

Measurements: unframed w 32 2/3" x h 25 1/4" (83 x 64 cm), framed 37 2/3" x 32 2/3" (96 x 83 cm)

Condition: in very good condition, old relined