The artwork “Portrait of Vasily Kirillovich Syutayev” is a creation of the renowned Russian artist Ilya Repin, dated to 1882. This piece is situated within the Realism art movement, a genre dedicated to representing subject matter truthfully and portraying ordinary life, eschewing the grandiose and idealized styles prevalent in previous art movements. As a portrait, the artwork focuses on capturing the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the subject – in this case, Vasily Kirillovich Syutayev.
The portrait exudes a strong sense of realism, focusing closely on the figure of Kirillovich. The subject is depicted with a notable degree of naturalism and attention to the subtleties of facial expression and texture. His eyes are slightly downcast, giving him a contemplative or introspective demeanor. The detail in Syutayev’s full beard and hair is meticulous, highlighting the play of light and shadow that adds depth and volume to the painting. Repin’s brushwork is particularly expressive in rendering the textures of the hair and beard, as well as the features of Syutayev’s face.
Colors in the artwork are subdued, with dark clothing enveloping the figure and merging with the similarly dark background. The subject’s face and hands are illuminated, drawing attention to them as focal points within the composition. Repin’s signature and the year of the painting’s creation are visible in the lower right-hand corner, subtly included within the painting’s palette. Overall, the painting is a remarkable example of Repin’s skill in capturing the essence of his subjects and his mastery of the Realist style.
