The painting Portrait of Nefyod Nikitich Kudryavtsev, Vice-Governor of Kazan Governorate, exhibited at the exposition, was painted by Grant Galumov in 2005. The artist created a copy of the portrait, painted by an unknown master in the 1720-1730s. The original was the only portrait of the Kazan vice-governor. It was long kept by the Baratynsky family, Kudryavtsev’s relatives.

Nefyod (Methodius) Kudryavtsev was the third son of the voivode Nikita Kudryavtsev. The former followed his father’s footsteps and went into the military service. He participated in the Persian campaign, clashes with the Swedes and Turks, the Seven Years' War. Some sources indicate that Peter I personally awarded Nefyod Kudryavtsev with a sword with the blade of Damascus steel for his engagement in the Battle of Poltava.

In 1727, Kudryavtsev, who was colonel already, was appointed vice-governor of the Kazan province. Together with Metropolitan Silvester, he spoke out against the governor of Kazan, Artemiy Volynsky. The latter was known as an avaricious person and money monger, who demanded unconditional obedience from his subordinates. Kudryavtsev helped the local residents of non-Russian ethnic background (Tatars, Chuvash and Cheremis) to file a complaint to the Senate on illegal extortions, which was imposed on them by Volynsky.

Kudryavtsev personally investigated the Volynsky case on behalf of the Supreme Privy Council, and eventually the governor was dismissed from office and transferred to Moscow. Later Volynskiy was accused of oath-breaking and preparation of a revolt - and was quartered.

Count Platon Musin-Pushkin was the next appointed governor. By his order in 1933, Nefyod Kudryavtsev and his wife Alexandra were put under arrest. This happened because of Alexandra’s uncle, Archbishop George (Dashkov). The Rostov archbishop was accused of bribery and busting of the diocese through maletolt. However, many historians believe that these accusations were ungrounded, and the main reason for the investigation was Dashkov’s struggle with Archbishop Theophan Prokopovich for power and influence in the Synod. The Kudryavtsevs were released after a series of interrogations.

Kudryavtsev was dismissed from the service, when he turned 64 in 1740. The then ruler Anna Leopoldovna promoted him to Major General.

In May 1767, at the gates of the Virgin Monastery of Raifa, the former governor-general met with Catherine II, who decided to visit the governorate. Kudryavtes gave the Empress a harness of six black horses, and she gave him a golden snuffbox in return.

Nefyod Kudryavtes perished in 1774. He was assassinated by the Pugachev uprising participants who set his townhouse on fire and looted his estate.