The artwork in question, “Portrait of writer Vsevolod Mikhailovich Garshin. Study,” is the creation of Ilya Repin, a renowned artist known for his Realist paintings. Completed in 1883, Repin used oil on canvas as his medium to execute this portrait. The artwork measures 48 by 40 centimeters and exemplifies the genre of portraiture characteristic of the Realist movement. Presently, it is housed in the Tretyakov Gallery located in Moscow, Russia.
The portrait is an intimate and vivid depiction of Vsevolod Garshin, a Russian writer known for his short stories. Garshin’s presence is rendered with a sense of immediacy and emotional depth. His gaze appears to be directed slightly to the side, suggestive of introspection or contemplation. The use of lighting and shadow enhances the psychological intensity of the portrait, with the face illuminated against a dark, almost indistinct background, highlighting the writer’s expressive eyes and the thoughtful expression on his face. This study, with its loose brushwork and the varying intensities of color, captures a moment that seems to transcend the canvas, drawing the viewer into a personal encounter with the writer’s character. Repin’s skillful handling of the medium and his ability to convey the emotional and psychological state of his subject make this artwork a powerful example of the Realist movement.
