The work of Ilya Repin is familiar to everyone from school. This great Russian artist amazes with the strength, power and ingenious execution of his paintings. He is called the most Russian of all Russian artists for the fact that in his paintings he was one of the first to portray the heroism of social protest, and described almost all aspects of the then Russian society.
The most famous paintings by Ilya Repin:
1
Barge Haulers on the Volga (1870–1873)
A huge canvas 1.3 m high and almost three meters wide depicts the working day of the Volga barge haulers. The artist's first ideas arose a year before the start of work on the painting. Walking along the banks of the Neva, Repin was struck by the contrast of the hacks, pulling a barge, with a flowering surrounding life. Work on the painting lasted three years, and for its creation Repin made many preparatory sketches and sketches. Critics met the picture in different ways. Some admired the realism of life, others scolded for "the greatest profanity." But the leading artists of Russia responded to the "Barge Haulers" as a great work of art.
2
Cossacks write a letter to the Turkish Sultan (1880–1891)
This picture is not only large-scale, but also an interesting story. Legend has it that the letter was written by Zaporizhzhya Cossacks in 1676. The text of the letter consisted of sharp answers and remarks to the ultimatum of the Turkish "ruler of the world", with the inclusion of sharp folk humor and foul language.
This plot interested Repin, and work on the picture lasted almost 11 years. In his heroes, Repin depicted the embodiment of chivalrous spirit, freedom and desperate courage. Each character in the picture is a huge personality. Characters, faces, costumes - everything was subtly noticed by the artist. Taunts, laughter, sparkling humor - you can immediately guess what was in that curious message to the Turkish Sultan.
3
Ivan the Terrible and his son Ivan November 16, 1581 (1883–1885)
The picture depicts the moment of the murder by Ivan the Terrible of his eldest son Ivan. In a fit of anger, the king hit his son with a staff and killed him. Repin conveyed exactly that moment when despair swallowed his father, distraught with grief.
The reaction of the public to the picture was mixed. But no one argued that she was genius. It is impossible to break away from the eyes of the old man, and the scarlet hot blood flowing through his fingers. The crumpled carpet, light accents, the poses of the heroes, the terrible realism of what happened make this picture amazing, one of the greatest works of painting. Because of this realism, several times they tried to damage individuals with an unbalanced psyche.
4
Sadko (1876)
This painting was painted by an artist in Paris, as a protest to impressionism. Repin did not understand this new trend in painting, and appreciated only its technical side, but did not note the meaning of impressionism.
The theme for the picture was an old legend about Sadko. The Novgorod merchant Sadko came to the sea king, and he offered him a choice of brides. From a thousand beauties and overseas divas, Sadko chose an ordinary Russian girl. Repin wanted to convey that, despite thousands of overseas wonders and various tempting things, he remained faithful to Russian history and Russian culture.
5
Religious procession in Kursk province (1877)
Ilya Repin wrote this large-scale painting after a trip to the Kursk province, where he saw a picturesque procession, a procession with a “miraculous icon”. On a dusty road against the background of a cut down forest, there is a motley procession, at the head of which ordinary men solemnly carry church relics. It is worth the heat and stuffiness. People in the crowd exfoliated into estates. Honorary citizens and the clergy are carefully guarded by mounted police. In some places violators are beaten with a whip. Simple and poor people are concerned about the seriousness of what is happening. The realism of the picture is amazing, the impression is being made of presence and personal participation in the procession.
By the way, on our site most-beauty.ru there is an informative article about the most beautiful icons.
6
Did not wait (1888)
The editors of most-beauty are sure that Ilya Repin's painting “Didn't Wait” is familiar to many since high school. In the USSR, it was interpreted with the Russian people's movement. The plot is simple - the family meets a former prisoner or convict released on freedom. For what reasons a person was convicted, and then released - it is not known. But in 1888, viewers definitely recognized the hero’s paintings as a hero. The reaction of family members to the sudden appearance of a battered and exhausted person is different. He is glad and afraid at the same time. Mother, wife, children are clearly not ready for such a visit.
7
Portrait of Mussorgsky (1881)
The portrait of the composer Mussorgsky stands out for its drama and depth. It was written just before the death of the great composer. In front of the audience is a sick, exhausted man — an edematous red face, hair that has been disheveled and a beard. But, first of all, the face of the genius of music attracts amazingly smart and sad eyes. This is a look of a strong, energetic person, consumed by longing and a feeling of a near end.
By the way, there is an interesting article on the most beautiful portraits in the world on our site most-beauty.ru.
8
Seeing the rookie (1878–1879)
Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878 affected all segments of the population of Russia. Impressed by this event, Repin decided to depict one of the most touching moments - the farewell of a simple peasant family to a new recruit. The young man is escorted to the war by his wife, children, parents and neighbors. Everything is ready to be sent - a horse is harnessed to the cart with simple products, sympathetic neighbors are visible behind the rookie. The picture is filled with sadness and sincere anxiety, but a clear patriotic idea is voiced in it - this is necessary for serving the Fatherland. The canvas was successfully exhibited in many cities of Russia, and Repin got a firm position in the ranks of the Wanderers.
9
Exam Preparation (1864)
One of the first serious works of Ilya Repin is filled with humor and mischief of youth. This process of preparing students for the exam is relevant today. The young man in the foreground put down the books and blows a kiss to the girl from the window opposite. The second student was exhausted from reading, and fell asleep with a book on his chest. Spring stands on the street, life is in full swing, and students have to while away not with the young ladies, but with books. At that time, Repin became a free student of the Academy of Arts, and like no other, he was close and understandable student life.
10
Portrait of Tretyakov (1883)
The portrait of the founder of the gallery of Russian painting Tretyakov is simple and modest. An intelligent face and a simple patronage of the philanthropist say a lot. In front of the audience there is an image of a philosopher, a thinking person, a reverent, subtle connoisseur of beauty. His hand with graceful thin fingers is a bright accent of the picture. The life of Tretyakov is the replenishment and preservation of the collection of paintings by great Russian artists. His brainchild is a priceless treasure, the gene code of Russian art.
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Afterword
Ilya Efimovich Repin is an outstanding Russian painter - a Wanderer, and his work is the pinnacle of "Wanderer Realism." It is impossible not to admire its scope and absolute talent. Many paintings by Ilya Repin are stored and exhibited in the best museums and galleries in the country.
Below we decided to place some more popular paintings by Ilya Repin:
Job and His Friends (1869)
The Little Man from the timid (1877)
Portrait of S.M. Dragomirova (1889)
Portrait of Professor Ivanov (1882)
Portrait of the writer Leonid Andreev (1904)
Resurrection of the daughter of Jairus (1870)
Dragonfly (1884)
Portrait of V.I. Repina, daughter of the artist.