Fedotov began as an amateur, drawing during his free time from his duties as an officer of the Finnish Regiment, where he served since 1834. Exactly after ten years of service, leaving hesitation that lasted almost four years, he retired, deciding to devote himself entirely to artistic activity. His life's path was cut short in 1852. Thus, Fedotov worked as a professional artist for only eight years. Fedotov’s debut before the Russian public took place in the middle of this eight-year period: in 1848, his first three paintings appeared at an exhibition at the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, among them, which later became the most popular of his works, Major's matchmaking. A previously unknown artist suddenly became famous.