Yuri Krotov

Prima Ballerina

Yuri Krotov was born 1964 in Grivenskaya Cossack Settlement, Krasnodar Territory, located close to the Azov Sea.

At the age of eight, Krotov met a local painter, G.A. Polugaev, who became his mentor. With Polugaev, Krotov traveled to Moscow and enrolled in Moscow High School of Art under the Surikov Art Institute. After high school he served in the Soviet Army for two years before attending the Moscow State Academic Art Institute, which was named after V.I. Surikov.

Krotov’s style of Impressionist painting blossomed on trips to France, Spain, Italy, Great Britain, Monaco and other European countries. After these trips and participating in sales and auctions as well as exhibitions, Krotov took a creative journey to his native Cossack Settlement in Kuban regions, where he painted Ataman Leord, A Morning in Kuban, Ataman’s Fishing and Among the Lotuses.

After this time of reflection and creative process, Krotov resurfaced in 1992 during an eminent sale of Russian paintings at the prestigious auction room Drouot in Paris. Although he's a modest man who prefers to stay out of the spotlight, Krotov has been invited back regularly and his work is now on permanent display.

Krotov’s fluid brushstrokes, painted with a quick and free manner, create full movement within the details of his art. The capturing of these fleeting moments in bold energetic colors make for a favorite among collectors.

Find authentic Yuri Krotov paintings on 1stDibs.

(Biography provided by Roy Petley Fine Art)