The artwork titled “Portrait of Maria Osipovna Lowenfeld” was crafted by the illustrious artist Ilya Repin in the year 1913. This charcoal drawing stands as a quintessential piece of the Realism art movement, with dimensions measuring 64 x 49 cm. It is a portrait, which means Repin focused on capturing the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the subject portrayed.
The portrait features a woman captured in profile, gazing to the left with an expression that seems contemplative and serene. Her features are finely rendered with delicate, yet decisive charcoal strokes, showcasing Repin’s mastery in rendering human features and emotion. The subject’s dark hair is styled up, contributing to the elegance of her posture and demeanor. She is dressed in what appears to be a sailor-style blouse with a dark neckline and a red belt cinching at the waist, suggesting a fashion that was likely popular or of personal significance during that time period.
The composition is simple yet striking, with the subject clearly being the focal point. The background is subdued and sketchy, allowing the viewer’s attention to remain entirely on the sitter. The use of light and shadow in the artwork brings depth to the subject’s face and attire, highlighting Repin’s ability to portray the texture of the fabric and the softness of the skin solely through the monochromatic palette that charcoal provides.
Ilya Repin’s signature and the date of completion are prominently visible in the lower-left corner of the portrait, providing authenticity and historical context to the artwork. The overall impression of the artwork is one of refined realism, capturing the essence of a moment in time through the sensitive and skillful application of charcoal on paper.
