The artwork in question is a portrait of Mitrofan Petrovich Belyayev, executed by the eminent artist Ilya Repin in the year 1886. Crafted using oil on canvas, it stands within the Realism art movement and measures 125 by 89 centimeters. This piece is categorized as a portrait, portraying the venerable music editor and patron Belyayev.
The artwork presents Belyayev in a poised, three-quarter stance with an almost frontal viewpoint. His facial expression bears a mix of contemplation and discernment, with his gaze directed somewhat away from the viewer, implying a moment of introspection or evaluation. Belyayev is depicted with a full beard and mustache, which were typical of the era’s fashion, and together with his hairstyle, they frame his face and accentuate his thoughtful demeanor.
The color palette is rather restrained, dominated by somber tones that correspond with the Realist ethos of fidelity to the subject’s natural appearance. Repin has skillfully rendered the clothing of Belyayev, where the texture of the fabric and folds in his dark suit are particularly noticeable, suggesting the weight and quality of the material. The background is unadorned and muted, ensuring that the focus remains on the subject.
The artist’s signature and the year of creation are discreetly placed in the lower right of the canvas, confirming the authenticity and historical context of this portrait. Through this work, Repin provides us with a visual narrative that extends beyond mere representation, granting us a glimpse into the personality and the stature of Mitrofan Petrovich Belyayev in the cultural world of the time.
