One of the key figures in Russian realism was Ilya Efimovich Repin. You may not be far from the world of fine art, but you could not hear about such paintings as “Barge Haulers on the Volga” or “Didn't Wait”.
This world famous artist was able to use painting to touch on topics that then worried the public. He was a master who, like no one else well depicted everyday scenes, was able to create a whole gallery of his contemporaries. In recent years, he preferred to draw biblical stories.
Introducing 10 Repin's most famous paintings, with original names and photographs of the work.
10. Refusal of confession before execution
In 1879, Repin read a poem by N.M. Minsky's "Last Confession." She made a great impression on him.
Inspired by this work, he decided to write the painting “Confession,” which after the revolution they decided to rename it “Refusal of Confession before Execution”.
In a poem published in an underground journal, a priest enters into a heated argument with a revolutionary sentenced to death. He encourages him to repent, but the offender does not agree.
The artist decided to show his vision of what is happening. His priest is not trying to persuade anyone, he is just waiting for the decision of the condemned. The revolutionary is also silent, realizing that he can not resist the system.
Long hair, a ragged robe, a beard creates a sloppy image. It seems that he has been sitting for so long. His pose reveals the attitude of the offender to what is happening, i.e. it immediately becomes clear that he does not want to confess or repent.
9. Nicholas of Myra save the death of three innocently convicted
The picture tells about St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. He was once a bishop in the Lycian World. The saint was away. At this time, the mayor Eustathius ordered the execution of 3 innocent people. He was bribed by ill-wishers of the victims.
Saint Nicholas could not allow such an injustice. He immediately returned to the Worlds, having managed just at that moment when the executioner was ready to execute the sentence. But Nikolai the Wonderworker, without harsh words, without expressing any timidity, ran to the executioner, grabbed the sword from his hands and threw it to the ground. This moment was captured by the artist.
The idea to paint this picture came about after a nunnery ordered him a painting by Nicholas the Wonderworker. At first he wanted to make something like an icon, but then he got carried away, and this unique painting turned out.
8. The wedding of Nicholas II and Grand Duchess Alexandra Fedorovna
This painting was painted in 1894. It depicts the last wedding of the monarchs of our country.
It took place on November 26, 1894, and was rather modest: there were no traditional balls and honeymoon trips. The wedding took place in the Cathedral of the Savior Not Made by Hands, located in the Winter Palace.
7. Vespers
It can be found in the Tretyakov Gallery. This picture was especially emphasized by Leo Tolstoy. He was a fan of Repin.
Ilya Efimovich decided to depict the gatherings of Ukrainian youth. As at all times, young people came together to have fun and dance.
The artist was able, as it were, to catch the right moment, to create the effect of photography, which stopped for a moment. Not every master can accurately convey the mood of music and fun, but Repin coped with this task.
Connoisseurs of painting consider the painting unique because It conveys national flavor well and recreates movements.
6. Seeing off rookie
Created in 1897, it is now in the Russian Museum of St. Petersburg. Her peculiarity is that she was able to accurately convey the feelings that people experience at such a turning point in their lives.
The idea to paint this picture came after he visited the estate of his friend Mamontov, where he witnessed this scene in the estate of Abramtsevo.
The peasants gathered to say goodbye to the draftee. Even small children came along with their parents. Everyone understands that for his family this is grief, even the dogs, as it seems, sympathize with them.
The conscript's mother laid her head on her son’s shoulder, as does not want to part with him and let go. Men and old people, who have also seen a lot in their lifetime, look sadly at what is happening, because can’t change anything. They know what awaits this young man.
This picture is a whole story, because one can imagine how each person depicted on her feels.
Despite the tragedy of the situation, tears, each of the participants in the scene is busy with his own business, because the peasant cannot but work.
5. Did not wait
The artist depicted the moment when an exiled Narodovolets suddenly enters the room. On his face we can read the whole gamut of experiences.
Repin several times rewrote his face, not knowing exactly what feelings need to be conveyed. And he settled on a questioningly uncertain expression. You can hold associations with the biblical story "the return of the prodigal son."
An interesting reaction to what is happening and all those who are in the room. All their experiences were reflected in the faces, especially the mother of the exiled, her hands were convincingly written.
Famous critics called this work of art a masterpiece, the most talented and most remarkable painting, although there were also negative reviews.
4. Religious procession in the Kursk province
Repin had the idea to write a similar picture back in the 1870s, but he began to work on it only in 1880.
For inspiration, he visited the Root Desert, located near Kursk. She was famous for the fact that religious processions were often held here. I watched them in Kiev, Chernigov, visited the procession of the Trinity Monastery.
Critics praised the picture, emphasizing that it was painted juicy, colorful and fresh. He was called the most mature and successful work of Repin.
What do we see in the picture? Huge human stream. On the right side is a booth decorated with colorful ribbons. It is carried by singers. This is a giant lantern, inside which candles flicker. The richly dressed tradesman carries an icon, it is surrounded by merchants and the military. Police protect those walking from commoners. And the young hunchback-disabled person is not allowed to approach the sacred icon.
3. Barge haulers on the Volga
Repin was always outraged by the fact that the hacks agree to such a difficult job. He believed that people should not be used as cattle, but instead transported barges with the help of towing steamers.
But he himself somehow admitted that he was not particularly interested in the life of these unfortunate people, he was more concerned about what colorful figures these people were.
The idea to paint this picture appeared in 1969, when he went on sketches to the Neva and first saw the barge haulers.. Then he drew the first sketch, but then redid it.
The picture appeared in the period from 1870 to 1873. Critics enthusiastically accepted the canvas, and Fyodor Dostoevsky said that this work of art became a true triumph of truth.
2. Ivan the Terrible and his son Ivan
The second name of this picture is "Ivan the Terrible kills his son."
The music of N.A. inspired the creation of this painting by the artist. Rimsky-Korsakov. After he heard his new work “Revenge”, Repin wanted to embody the mood that appeared in him under the influence of this music.
The artist writes that his feelings were overwhelmed by the horrors of modernity, he wanted to find a way out of pain in history.
A little later, he recalled that bloody paintings began to be exhibited in Europe, and having become infected with this mood, he began working on his unique work.
It depicts the moment when Ivan the Terrible, inflicting a mortal blow to his son, is experiencing a tragic moment. On his face we can see remorse. The meekness of the prince, who, with tears in his eyes, is ready to forgive his father, distraught with grief, is especially striking.
1. Cossacks write a letter to the Turkish Sultan
The picture depicts the Zaporozhye Cossacks, who collectively compose a letter to the Ottoman Sultan. This is an insulting response to his ultimatum that it is worth giving up and stop attacking the Shining Port.
According to legend, during the Russo-Turkish war, the sultan demanded to obey him, to which he received a letter in which the Cossacks cruelly mocked him. Repin decided to convey this mood and atmosphere.
The idea to create this work of art came to him at a social gathering. One of the guests, Dmitry Yavornitsky, brought a copy of a letter written by Cossacks to Sultan Mahmud IV. It amused the guests, and Repin got the idea to create a picture.