The artwork entitled “Death of Fedor Chizhov” was crafted by the artist Ilya Repin in 1877. It is part of the Realism art movement and is categorized as a portrait. The artwork is steeped in somber tones and a solemn atmosphere, resonating with the themes of mortality and finality characteristic of the period’s artworks.
In the artwork, the viewer is presented with a scene of a lifeless elderly man reclining in an ornate chair. The man’s head is tilted to the side, suggesting a state of repose or the moment after life has departed. His hands rest gently on the arms of the chair, and a blanket covers his legs, which stretch out towards a footrest. The setting is intimate and shadowed, save for the warmly lit area to the right, where a table holds a burning candle, providing a soft glow that contrasts with the surrounding darkness. This attention to lighting accentuates the sense of depth and the tactile quality of the surfaces within the room.
The details of the room are rendered with care, from the floral pattern on the chair to the green cushion behind the man, suggesting a personal space filled with possessions reflective of his life. Overall, the artwork captures a poignant moment with great sensitivity, utilizing the principles of Realism to depict the gravity and tranquility of its subject.
