Biography

Russian draughtsman and printmaker, part of a Russian family of painters and graphic artists, younger son of the painter Fyodor Zubov (c. 1615-1689). From 1689 he studied in the workshop of the Armoury in Moscow and from 1699 under the engraver Adriaan Schoonebeeck. He then worked in the engraving department of the Armoury. In 1711 he moved to St Petersburg, and until 1727 he was in charge of the engraving department of the St Petersburg Printing Office. This was the most brilliant and fruitful period of his career. His work marks a high point in printmaking in Petrine Russia. He was a skilled draughtsman, and nearly always worked from his own designs. He was equally successful in a variety of genres: he engraved views of St Petersburg, battles, firework displays, triumphal processions, allegorical compositions, maps and book illustrations. His techniques included etching, engraving and mezzotint. He produced over 100 sheets in all.