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 the 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, Khrutsky was awarded the Major Silver medal of the Academy for his still-lifes. In the history of the Russian art he entered as the author of impressive still-lifes, maybe 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.
