The artwork titled “Portrait of the Actor Pavel Samoylov” was created by the renowned artist Ilya Repin in 1915. It is executed in oil on canvas and measures 116 by 80 centimeters. Demonstrative of the Realism art movement, the genre of this piece is portrait. The work is part of the collection at the Bakhrushin Theater Museum located in Moscow, Russia.
In the artwork, the subject, ostensibly the actor Pavel Samoylov, is depicted with a striking degree of lifelike detail that is characteristic of Realism. The actor is seated, his body turned slightly towards the viewer, with his face shown in profile. His expression carries a thoughtful, perhaps contemplative demeanor, inviting speculation about his state of mind. The painting’s composition, which features the subject in a relaxed pose with one arm resting on the armrest of a richly adorned wooden chair, conveys a sense of casual elegance.
Repin’s masterful application of paint captures the texture of the actor’s clothing, the soft sheen of the fabric of his jacket, and the crispness of his white shirt. Subtle highlights and shadows in the actor’s face suggest a natural source of light, giving the scene a serene atmosphere. The background appears to be a bright, indistinct space, with what may be painting or drawing implements faintly visible, hinting at a creative environment. Repin’s signature and the year of the painting’s creation are inscribed in the upper right corner of the canvas, affirming the artwork’s authenticity and historical context.
