Akimov Ivan is a Russian historical artist, a student of the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts, a professor since 1785, and its director from 1796-1800. His contemporaries highly appreciated the artist for his composition skills. He was one of the best draftsmen of his time. Catherin II was kind to him, Emperor Paul I, whose children he taught painting, valued him highly.

The artwork of Ivan Akimov Presentation of the Sceptre is a fragment of a historical painting depicting one moment in Russian history picture Duke Rurik, at his Death, Giving his Infant Son Igor into the Trust of his Nephew Oleg, with Instructions for them to Reign Together. The moment of transfer of power was depicted in the painting made in classical traditions.