The artwork titled “Portrait of the Artist D.N. Kardovskiy” was created by the esteemed artist Ilya Repin between 1896 and 1897. This oil on canvas painting adheres to the Realism art movement, depicting the subject with a high degree of naturalism. The work measures 79 by 71.5 centimeters and is categorized within the genre of portraiture. The piece is part of the collection housed at the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia.
The artwork presents a thoughtful portrayal of Dmitri Nikolaevich Kardovsky, a fellow artist. Repin has rendered Kardovsky seated, apparently in an interior space that includes elements hinting at his artistic practice, such as a palette and brushes in his left hand. The color palette is subdued, with earthy and dark tones that allow the white of the subject’s shirt to stand out, creating a stark contrast that draws attention to Kardovsky’s composed posture and intense gaze. Repin’s brushwork is dynamic and expressive, creating a textured surface that captures both the physical likeness and the psychological presence of Kardovsky. The lighting in the painting highlights the artist’s face and hands, emphasizing his contemplative expression and the tools of his craft, while the background remains less detailed, yet still suggestive of Kardovsky’s creative environment.
