The artwork titled “Hunchback 1” was created by the artist Ilya Repin in 1881. This portrait is executed in oil on canvas, measuring 64.5 by 53.5 cm. As a piece originating from the Realism art movement, it currently resides in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia.
The painting captures the solemn countenance of a figure whose physical appearance suggests a life marked by hardship. The subject’s hunched posture and pensive expression evoke a profound sense of empathy in the viewer. Repin’s masterful use of light and shadow brings a raw humanity to the fore, highlighting the rough textures of the subject’s clothes and fleshing out the subtleties of their facial features. The dark background serves to isolate and further emphasize the individual, allowing observers to contemplate the personal story and emotions that the subject might hold.
