Savrasov Victor Sergeevich (1924—1976), the first ceramist of Vladimir, was one of the oldest sculptors of Vladimir Oblast. He modelled his contemporary Sychev Nikolai Petrovich (1883—1964), an artist, a restorer, a professor, a teacher and a fine art expert, who influenced greatly the fine arts school development of Vladimir Oblast.

Nikolai Sychev developed into a high-class researcher at Petersburg University under the supervision of leading professors of historical sciences of the time: Nikodim Kondakov (1844-1925) and Dmitry Inalov (1862—1939). Sychev Nikolai was a lecturer at the Institute of Art History, a professor of Petrograd University, the Academy of Arts, the Archeological Institute All-Russian Academy of Arts in 1917–1921; he was a director of State Russian Museum in 1921–1926.

Nikolai Sychev always combined his scientific work with pictorial activity. He studied pictorial activity basics at the Academy of Arts as an irregular student. He featured his pictures in exhibitions, he belonged to the artist association “Sixteen”, on equal terms with the famous painter Nikolai Feshin, for example. (1881—1955).

Sychev work value for the time was great. Nevertheless, he was repressed in the 1930s and was forced to break off his activity. Owing to the artist and restorer Igor Grabar (1871—1960) in some years Nikolai Petrovich was tranferred out to Vladimir.

Being the only professor in the region Sychev joined the ranks of representatives of the Arts Council of Vladimir Union of Soviet artists which was established in 1945 and he defined entry lists of region exhibitions. Nikolai Petrovich was recommended for that post by representatives of the Selection Committee that consolidated such unions throughout the country and was located in Moscow.

Moreover, Nikolai Sychev conducted a fine arts studio. Future representatives of Vladimir painting school: Kim Britov, Victor Titov, Valeriy Kokurin and the other Vladimir painters attended the fine arts studio. Nikolai Petrovich used to work en plein air with his students and advised them on creative work.

Also, Sychev was a head of the mural sector in Vladimir design and restoration workshop. He participated in cleaning and strengthening of Andrey Rublev and Daniil Chernyi wall painting in the Cathedral of the Assumption as a research advisor. Taking part in restoration of dozens of ancient monuments the professor involved his students in work and discussion of rich traditions of Old Russian architecture, wall-painting, icon-painting. He is rightfully considered to be a founder of Vladimir restoration school.

Nikolai Petrovich Sychev had a comprehensive impact on the fine arts of Vladimir Oblast as an artist, a fine art expert, a teacher and a restorer.