“Autumn Bouquet. Portrait of Vera Repina” is an oil on board artwork created in 1892 by Ilya Repin, a prominent artist affiliated with the Realism movement. The dimensions of this piece are 111 by 65 centimeters. As a portrait, it captures the likeness of Vera Repina, offering viewers a glimpse into a moment of intimacy and grace. The artwork is housed at the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia, where it remains a vital part of the collection, providing insight into Repin’s technical skill and artistic sensibility.
The artwork presents a young woman standing in an outdoor setting, holding a bouquet of autumn flowers. She wears a dark, patterned dress with decorative white lace at the collar, and a striking red hat rests upon her head—both indicating a certain level of sophistication and attention to fashion. Her attire suggests the period’s style and adds a textural richness to the portrait. The woman’s pose is relaxed yet elegant, with one hand gracefully clutching the bouquet, and her expression is gentle yet reserved, conveying a serene confidence.
In the background, the landscape portrays the transitional atmosphere of autumn. The subdued palette of greens, browns, and hints of red echo the changing season, while giving the figure prominence against the diffused natural backdrop. Repin’s brushwork embodies the characteristics of the Realism movement, with a keen eye for detail, naturalistic coloration, and a focus on the truthful representation of the subject.
The artwork’s composition and the manner in which Repin captures the subject’s character are testament to his mastery in portraiture. It’s a sensitive portrayal of a woman in her environment, a celebration of beauty in everyday life, and a reflection of the artist’s own personal connection to the sitter, who is believed to be a relative.
