The artwork titled “Portrait of V.A. Zhirkevich” is a creation of the esteemed artist Ilya Repin, dating back to 1891. Repin was a prominent figure of the Realism art movement, and this particular work falls within the genre of portraiture. As a representative piece of this era, the artwork showcases Repin’s skill in capturing the essence of a person through fine details and lifelike representation.
In the artwork, the subject, V.A. Zhirkevich, is depicted with an engaging and introspective expression, possibly a testament to his personality or the mood at the time of its creation. His gaze seems directed outward, suggesting a moment of contemplation or thoughtful engagement with someone or something outside the frame. The subject’s hand is raised to his face, a gesture that further enhances the sense of contemplation and adds a certain intimacy to the portrait.
The technique used by Repin is characterized by fluid, confident lines, and the interplay of light and shadow, suggesting depth and dimension while retaining the immediacy and energy of a sketch. The artist’s signature and the year of creation are prominently displayed on the artwork, serving as a testament to his authorship and the period in which it was made. The background appears loosely defined, which allows the viewer to focus more intently on the figure of Zhirkevich, emphasizing his importance as the central subject of the piece.