The artwork “V.A. Repina” was completed by the artist Ilya Repin in the year 1876. This piece is executed in oil on canvas and is associated with the Realism art movement. Characterized as a portrait, the work captures the essence of its sitter with a clear focus on realism and detail. As for its location, the artwork is housed in the Apartment Museum of Joseph Brodsky in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
The artwork presents us with a formal portrait of a woman, portrayed against a pale, nondescript background which directs the viewer’s attention solely to the subject herself. She is depicted from the waist up, donning a dark garment that draws attention to the paleness of her skin and the intricate white lace jabot at her throat, which is rich in detail and provides a stark contrast to the rest of her attire. Her gaze seems contemplative and somewhat restrained, possibly alluding to the inner world of the sitter. The artist’s skillful use of light and shadow lends a three-dimensional quality to the figure, enhancing the depiction of her facial features and expression.
The painter’s signature and the year of the painting are visibly inscribed on the canvas, anchoring the work in its historical context. Through the realistic rendition of the woman’s appearance and the subdued emotion conveyed through her gaze, Repin’s work embodies the principles of the Realism movement, which focused on accurate and unembellished representation of subjects.
