The artwork “Portrait of the Art Critic Vladimir Stasov” was painted in 1883 by the artist Ilya Repin. It is an oil on canvas painting that adheres to the Realism art movement. The dimensions of this portrait are 74 by 60 centimeters and it falls under the genre of portrait.
In this artwork, Repin presents a meticulously rendered portrait of Vladimir Stasov, a renowned Russian art critic. The subject is depicted almost en face, looking directly at the viewer with an expression that conveys a mix of seriousness and contemplative thought, which may reflect his intellectual nature as an art critic. The light falls onto his face, accentuating his facial features, particularly his deep-set eyes, the lines of his face, and his sizeable, well-groomed white beard that cascades over his chest, rendering him a distinguished figure.
Repin’s brushwork is evident in the textured appearance of the beard and the subtle gradations of tone on the skin. The palette consists of muted, natural tones, with the warm flesh tones standing out against the darker hues of Stasov’s attire and the muted, neutral background. There is a notable contrast between the precise detailing of Stasov’s face and the looser, more impressionistic technique used for his clothing and the background, emphasizing the importance of the figure within the composition.
The personality of Vladimir Stasov is captured not only through his physical likeness but also through the painting’s overall mood and atmosphere, suggesting a person of intellect and significance. Thus, the artwork stands as a tribute to the critic’s prominence within the cultural milieu of the time and demonstrates Repin’s mastery of portraiture within the Realist tradition.
