The artwork titled “Portrait of an Italian Woman” was crafted by the renowned artist Ilya Repin in the year 1870. This oil on canvas masterpiece adheres to the Realist art movement and portrays a life-like representation of its subject. The dimensions of the portrait measure 100.5 by 73.5 centimeters. As a portrait, it captures the essence of its Italian subject with fine detail and dramatic effect. This significant piece of Repin’s oeuvre is housed at the Irkutsk Regional Museum of Fine Arts, also known as the Sukachev Museum, located in Irkutsk, Russia.
The artwork exhibits a striking Italian woman gazing intently towards the viewer, her expression imbued with a sense of contemplation and resilience. The dark background sets a stark contrast to the subject, accentuating her features and traditional clothing. She dons a white blouse richly ornamented with lace and combined with a sheer, dark headpiece that falls gently around her shoulders, possibly indicating her cultural heritage. A prominent red necklace adds a vibrant touch to the otherwise subdued color palette of the piece. The woman’s arms are crossed, suggesting a certain self-assuredness or perhaps a defensive posture. The intricate play of light and shadow captures the delicate textures of her attire and emphasizes the thoughtful countenance on her face, embodying the Realist approach to portraying life with accuracy and psychological depth.
