The artwork “Portrait of L.N. Yakovleva” was created by the artist Ilya Repin in the year 1888. As a prominent figure of the Realism art movement, Repin’s mastery is evident in the genre of portraiture. This particular work embodies the essence of Realism, offering a truthful and unembellished representation of the subject.
In this artwork, Repin presents a delicate study of a woman’s profile. The portrait is sketched with what appears to be a light touch, capturing the soft contours of her face and the gentle gaze directed downward. The subject is adorned with a ribbon in her hair and wears a garment with a floral detail and high neckline, indicative of the fashion of the period. The integrity of the Realist movement is respected through the candid depiction of the subject’s features, accurate and devoid of idealization.
The artist’s signatures are visible on the lower-right portion of the portrait, lending a personal touch to the piece, and reinforcing the authenticity associated with Repin’s sketches. It’s a work that communicates more than the mere appearance of the subject; it conveys a sense of the inner persona as articulated through her contemplative expression and demure posture.
