Famous contemporaries of Repin in the photo and in painting: what were the people in real life, whose portraits the artist painted
Famous contemporaries of Repin in the photo and in painting: what were the people in real life, whose portraits the artist painted

Video: Famous contemporaries of Repin in the photo and in painting: what were the people in real life, whose portraits the artist painted

Video: Famous contemporaries of Repin in the photo and in painting: what were the people in real life, whose portraits the artist painted
Video: Admiral (2008) with English Subtitles (Full) - YouTube 2024, November
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Left - M. Gorky and M. Andreeva posing for Repin. Finland, 1905. Right - I. Repin. Portrait of M. F. Andreeva, 1905
Left - M. Gorky and M. Andreeva posing for Repin. Finland, 1905. Right - I. Repin. Portrait of M. F. Andreeva, 1905

Ilya Repin was one of the greatest portrait painters in world art. He created a whole gallery of portraits of his outstanding contemporaries, thanks to which we can draw conclusions not only about how they looked, but also what people they were - after all, Repin is rightfully considered the finest psychologist who captured not only the external features of posing, but also the dominant features their characters. At the same time, he tried to distract himself from his own attitude to the posing and grasp the inner deep essence of the personality. It is interesting to compare photographs of famous contemporaries of the artist with their portraits.

Actress Maria Fedorovna Andreeva
Actress Maria Fedorovna Andreeva

Maria Andreeva was not only one of the most famous actresses of the early twentieth century, but also one of the most beautiful and captivating women - of those who are called fatal. She was a fiery revolutionary and civil wife of Maxim Gorky, Lenin called her "comrade phenomenon." They said that she was involved in the death of the industrialist and philanthropist Savva Morozov. However, Repin managed to resist the charms of the actress - after all, she was the wife of his friend. They were both frequent guests at his estate and posed for portraits for the artist.

M. Gorky and M. Andreeva posing for Repin. Finland, 1905
M. Gorky and M. Andreeva posing for Repin. Finland, 1905

The writer Kuprin was a witness to the creation of this portrait, and when the artist asked his opinion, he hesitated: “The question took me by surprise. The portrait is unsuccessful, it does not look like Maria Feodorovna. This big hat casts a shadow on her face, and then he (Repin) gave her face such a repulsive expression that it seems unpleasant. However, many contemporaries saw Andreeva just like that.

I. Repin. Portrait of the composer M. P. Mussorgsky, 1881. M. P. Mussorgsky, photo
I. Repin. Portrait of the composer M. P. Mussorgsky, 1881. M. P. Mussorgsky, photo

Ilya Repin was a fan of the work of the composer Modest Mussorgsky and was his friend. He knew about the composer's alcohol addiction and the consequences for his health, to which it led. When the artist heard that Mussorgsky was hospitalized in a serious condition, he wrote a criticism to Stasov: “Again I read in the newspaper that Mussorgsky is very ill. What a pity this brilliant force, so stupidly disposed of with itself physically. Repin went to the hospital for Mussorgsky and within 4 days created a portrait that became a real masterpiece. The composer died 10 days later.

I. Repin. Portrait of Leo Tolstoy, 1887, and a photo of the writer
I. Repin. Portrait of Leo Tolstoy, 1887, and a photo of the writer

The friendship between Repin and Leo Tolstoy lasted 30 years, until the writer's death. Although their views on life and on art often diverged, they were very warm towards each other. The artist painted several portraits of members of the Tolstoy family, created illustrations for his works. Repin portrayed both willpower, and wisdom, and kindness, and the calm greatness of the writer - the way he saw him. Tolstoy's eldest daughter Tatyana Sukhotina, who also became the artist's model, also visited the artist's house.

Tatiana Sukhotina, Tolstoy's daughter, in the photo and in the portrait by Repin
Tatiana Sukhotina, Tolstoy's daughter, in the photo and in the portrait by Repin

Once the mother of a novice artist Valentin Serov turned to Repin with a request to see the work of her son. In this imperious woman, Repin saw the features of the adamant and proud princess Sophia Alekseevna. He had long been fond of the historical theme and wanted to write Princess Sophia in prison, but he could not find a model, and then she found him herself.

Valentina Serova, the artist's mother, photo. On the right is I. Repin. Princess Sophia in the Novodevichy Convent, 1879
Valentina Serova, the artist's mother, photo. On the right is I. Repin. Princess Sophia in the Novodevichy Convent, 1879
Valentina Serova in the photo and in the portrait of Repin
Valentina Serova in the photo and in the portrait of Repin

For a very long time, Repin had to convince his friend Pavel Tretyakov to pose for him for a portrait - the gallery owner was a very restrained and withdrawn person, he liked to stay in the shadows and did not want to be known by sight. Lost in the crowd of visitors to his exhibitions, he could, while remaining unrecognized, hear their sincere responses. Repin, on the other hand, believed that everyone should know Tretyakov as one of the most prominent cultural figures of the era. The artist depicted the gallery owner in his usual pose, absorbed in his thoughts. Closed hands indicate his usual isolation and detachment. Contemporaries said that in life Tretyakov was as modest and extremely restrained as Repin portrayed him.

I. Repin. Portrait of P. M. Tretyakov, 1883, and photo of the gallery owner
I. Repin. Portrait of P. M. Tretyakov, 1883, and photo of the gallery owner

Everyone who was personally acquainted with the writer A. F. Pisemsky argued that Repin managed to very accurately capture the defining traits of his character. It is known that he was quite sarcastic and sarcastic towards the interlocutor. But the artist caught other important details, he knew that the writer was sick and broken by the tragic circumstances of his life (one son committed suicide, the other was terminally ill), and he managed to capture the traces of pain and melancholy in the writer's eyes.

I. Repin. Portrait of A. F. Pisemsky, 1880, and a photo of the writer
I. Repin. Portrait of A. F. Pisemsky, 1880, and a photo of the writer

With special warmth, Repin painted portraits of his loved ones. The portrait of his daughter Vera in the painting "Autumn Bouquet" is imbued with genuine tenderness.

I. Repin. Autumn bouquet. Portrait of Vera Ilyinichna Repina, 1892, and a photo of the artist's daughter
I. Repin. Autumn bouquet. Portrait of Vera Ilyinichna Repina, 1892, and a photo of the artist's daughter

An interesting story was hidden behind each portrait of Repin: a portrait Barbara Ikskul - baroness who worked as a sister of mercy, and Vera Repina: 15 difficult years next to a genius

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