Petroff, W. (Russian, active early 20th Century)

Petroff (1880-1935) was a Russian painter, who was famous for his Orientalist depictions of architectural interiors.

Born in Russia, Petroff initially studied at the Tiflis Art College in Georgia. His studies were interrupted in 1914 by the outbreak of the First World War, which he fought in. Petroff later fought on behalf of the Russian White Army, against the Bolsheviks.
After the defeat of the White Army in the Russian Civil War, Petroff immigrated to Turkey in 1920. From this base, Petroff continued to travel in the Middle East and painted various architectural mosque scenes in Istanbul, as well as of the Bosphorus. Following this he returned to Western Europe and settled in France.