The artwork is an oil on canvas portrait titled “Portrait of painter Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov. Study for the picture Sadko in the Underwater Kingdom” by the Russian artist Ilya Repin, completed in the year 1875. It’s a piece that follows the Realism movement, with dimensions of 73.5 cm by 64 cm. The genre of the painting is portraiture, and it is currently housed at the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia.
In this dark and emotionally evocative portrait by Ilya Repin, we see the painter Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov captured in profile. The artist is depicted with a contemplative gaze, turning away from the viewer, as if lost in thought. The use of chiaroscuro is prominent, with the subject’s face illuminated against a predominantly dark background, which provides a dramatic contrast that draws the viewer’s attention to the features of Vasnetsov. The brushwork appears to be expressive and energetic, capturing the texture of Vasnetsov’s fur-lined coat and the distinct structure of his face. The color palette is largely subdued, with deep blues and earth tones, but portions are livened with bolder strokes of light, suggesting a nuanced depiction of character and mood. The signature of the artist, Ilya Repin, can be seen in the lower-right corner of the artwork, adding a personal touch to the work. The overall feeling imparted by this study is one of introspection and nuanced psychological depth, hallmarks of Repin’s masterful portraiture.
