Rufin Gavrilovich Sudkovsky (Russian Federation, 1850-1885) Painting of a coastal scene. Signed lower left. Oil/Canvas. Sight Size: 17 x 23.5 in. Overall Size: 25 x 31.5 in. Provenance: Private Florida Collection. In 1868, he left the seminary and went to Saint Petersburg, where he was accepted on a provisional basis at the Imperial Academy of Arts. He eventually became a full student, remaining for three years and being awarded several medals. He returned to Ochakiv in 1871 and began a series of sketches of the Black Sea coastline. Three years later, a new exhibit at the Academy earned him the title of "Free Artist" (second degree). In 1879, he was promoted to first degree.