Ivan Nikolaevich Kramskoi was one of the recognized realist artists of the second half of the 19th century, the inspirer and organizer of the Association of Traveling Art Exhibitions, an art theorist, art critic and rebel against the rule of the Academy of Arts. Nevertheless, contemporaries depicted by him on his canvas occupy the largest place in his legacy.

The creative abilities of Ivan Kramskoy were manifested in a series of peasants’ portraits, depicting folk types, as was customary in the realistic direction of that time. These sketches for the planned large canvas of a peasant gathering are a kind of research, a desire to get closer to the people, to try to understand what the national character and soul are made up of.

The portrait of an old peasant from the collection of the Penza Gallery depicts a mighty and stern man, immersed in his gloomy thoughts, with a heavy gaze withdrawn from the viewer. The eyes are in the shadow of long hair, a gray beard hides half of the face, and only a straight large nose stands out in the light. The artist is indifferent to clothing and background, only the face is painted with special care, it is calm, but severe and reflects the inner strength and dignity of a person.