The artwork titled “On the couch,” created by the artist Ilya Repin, represents the Realism art movement and is categorized as a sketch and study. It exemplifies the Realist tendency to depict everyday scenes and people without embellishment, focusing on the authentic depiction of life.
The artwork portrays an individual reclining languidly on a couch that shows details of intricate fabric patterns and textures. The subject appears relaxed and at ease, nestled among pillows that provide a contrast in both color and form, such as the striking blue piece that draws the viewer’s eye. The brushwork is loose and expressive, suggesting that this piece may be a preparatory study or an experiment in capturing the effects of light and shadow on fabric and form. The background is notably unfinished, placing the primary focus on the figure and the immediate surroundings. This emphasizes the spontaneity and the fleeting nature of the moment captured by the artist, a motif common in Realist work of the period. The incomplete nature of the background also serves to direct our attention to the intricate play of colors and the relaxed pose of the figure, which combine to depict a seemingly tranquil moment in daily life.
