This is an original self portrait oil painting on canvas by Russian artist Nikolai (Nicolas) Becker (1877-1962). Born in St. Petersburg, Becker first studied as a railway engineer before taking private art lessons from I.E. Krachkovsky. During the early years of the 20th century, he gained notoriety as a portrait artist even painting members of the royal dynasty. He favored portraits of beautiful women, ballerinas, and opera singers, but he also painted striking landscapes. It was a common practice for Becker to sketch preliminary pencil drawings and paint miniature oils, some in amazing detail, of what he envisioned as the finished painting. His gift of successfully presenting a striking resemblance of his models caught at their best moments, made him one of the most sought after painters in Russia. He remained in Russia until the Revolution in 1917 after which he moved to Constantinople. He lived in Constantinople for three years and created 170 portraits of the occupying powers - British, American and French diplomats and military officials as well as members of their families.
After moving to Paris, Becker exhibited at the 1924 Salon of the Society of Beaux Arts. The next few years were spent on the French Riviera, in Paris and Italy, where he developed his own elegant style and soon became the acclaimed “Society Portrait Artist,” of the rich and famous. His portraits spread throughout Europe including England where many a mansion or castle was graced by his work. In the late 1950s, Becker moved to New York City, and despite his advancing age, he carried on his prolific work. During this time his love of nature emanated from his canvases, often combining creatures with portraits. Appreciating all the opportunities offered by America, in his heart Becker longed for his beloved Nice, Monte-Carlo and French Riviera. After the death of his third wife, he decided to return to France to relax under the Mediterranean sun where he painted numerous landscapes and enjoyed his remaining years until his passing in 1962. He is buried in Nice, France.
Although Becker's portraits were known as some of the finest in the world, most were commissioned works and never reached the public market which left him little known outside his focused well-to-do adoring audience. Two years before his death, Becker willed all of his remaining collection including oil portraits, sketches, drawings, photographs of former commissioned paintings, which totaled well in excess of 250 works to his niece, Catherine Post, also of New York City. She in turn, donated a few pieces of his collection to the Columbia University Rare Book & Manuscript Library, where they are today. The larger share of the Becker collection was then willed by Post to a dear friend in Fonda, NY.
The frame is 24 7/8" x 21 1/8" and the sight is 19 3/8" x 15 1/2".

Scattered surface scratches and paint loss.