Ilya Repin (1844-1930) is one of the iconic figures of Russian realism in painting at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. Originally he was from the Kharkov region. At an early age, he became interested in drawing, entered the local icon-painting school, where his talent was immediately appreciated. The artist’s skill grew and required more serious training, and the young artist went to Saint Petersburg to study at the Academy of Arts.
In the 1870s, Repin and his family went on a retirement trip to Europe, it was at this time that he painted the famous painting “Sadko” (1876), which brought the artist the title of academician.
Upon his return to Moscow, he joined the Association of the Itinerants. The main task of the association was to educate the people, to bring them closer to art. Travelling exhibitions also allowed artists to sell their work faster. The creativity of the masters was distinguished by a craving for the depiction of the tragic reality of folk life.
Repin became famous for his portrait works “Portrait of the composer M.P. Mussorgsky"(1881), ‘Portrait of Garshin"(1884), and ‘Portrait of Pavel Tretyakov"(1901). His paintings amaze with subtle psychologism, non-standard choice of the model’s posture, realistic rendering of the external appearance with all the advantages and disadvantages. It was important for the artist to embody the very unique personality of the portrait. Each time he carefully studied the model, his facial expressions, and the way to pose and look.
This portrait is of Wilhelm von Bitner (1865–1921), who was an editor-publisher of the journal Vestnik Znaniya. It was commissioned by the publication’s subscribers to honor his tenth anniversary. The artist painted a sketch from life, for this he traveled from his Penati estate to Saint Petersburg or was waiting for Bitner to visit.
Bitner is depicted in a pensive pose, his head is thrown back a little, his gaze is immersed in his thoughts, and his hands are absent-mindedly fidgeting with the papers. The coloring of the picture is decided in warm colors, the main background is warm-burgundy, and the golden tones in the hair, beard and accessories fill the composition with light. The sketch was painted by Repin in a generalized way, many details were outlined by general forms, but the artist managed to catch the character of the model, and the room accessories were made with great attention. The small size of the sketch did not prevent it from being bright and saturated.
In the 1870s, Repin and his family went on a retirement trip to Europe, it was at this time that he painted the famous painting “Sadko” (1876), which brought the artist the title of academician.
Upon his return to Moscow, he joined the Association of the Itinerants. The main task of the association was to educate the people, to bring them closer to art. Travelling exhibitions also allowed artists to sell their work faster. The creativity of the masters was distinguished by a craving for the depiction of the tragic reality of folk life.
Repin became famous for his portrait works “Portrait of the composer M.P. Mussorgsky"(1881), ‘Portrait of Garshin"(1884), and ‘Portrait of Pavel Tretyakov"(1901). His paintings amaze with subtle psychologism, non-standard choice of the model’s posture, realistic rendering of the external appearance with all the advantages and disadvantages. It was important for the artist to embody the very unique personality of the portrait. Each time he carefully studied the model, his facial expressions, and the way to pose and look.
This portrait is of Wilhelm von Bitner (1865–1921), who was an editor-publisher of the journal Vestnik Znaniya. It was commissioned by the publication’s subscribers to honor his tenth anniversary. The artist painted a sketch from life, for this he traveled from his Penati estate to Saint Petersburg or was waiting for Bitner to visit.
The publisher is pictured at his desk in his office. The painting is solved in a complex compositional plan, filled with details that characterize the model.
Bitner is depicted in a pensive pose, his head is thrown back a little, his gaze is immersed in his thoughts, and his hands are absent-mindedly fidgeting with the papers. The coloring of the picture is decided in warm colors, the main background is warm-burgundy, and the golden tones in the hair, beard and accessories fill the composition with light. The sketch was painted by Repin in a generalized way, many details were outlined by general forms, but the artist managed to catch the character of the model, and the room accessories were made with great attention. The small size of the sketch did not prevent it from being bright and saturated.
