ILYA REPIN

Repin was a model of selfless devotion to art. The artist wrote: "Art, I love you more goodness . . . Love secretly, jealously, like an old drunkard - terminally. Wherever I go, whatever amused, no matter how admired, no matter what he enjoyed - it is always and everywhere in my head, my heart, my desires - the best and most secret. Hours in the morning, which I dedicate to him - the best hours of my life. And joy and sorrow - joy to the happiness and sorrow to death - all those hours, which rays illuminate or darken all the other episodes of my life. "

Ilya Repin was born on August 5, 1844 in the small Ukrainian town Chuguyev, near Kharkov. "I was born a military villager. This title is despicable - below the settlers considered unless the serfs "- later wrote the artist. Like many children of military settlers, Repin went to military school, the office topography. It was there that first manifested his passion for drawing. However, the boy was not lucky, because the department was soon closed. Then, at the urging of the boy′s father gave him as an apprentice to iconographer Bunakova.

Almost four years Ilya spent the gang of artists, where he studied writing icons and restoration of ancient iconography. But he dreams of something bigger. Skopje 100 rubles from the church orders, in 1863 the young artist went to St. Petersburg. But to enter the Academy of Arts he can not, because he did not know the classic picture. Then Repin decides to do in a private drawing school, where he taught IN Kramskoy. Soon he noticed a talented young man, invited him to visit. Since then, and began their friendship played a huge role in the life of Repin.

On the recommendation of Kramskogo two months Repin was adopted by a volunteer in the academy. At the end of the first year for the painting "Lamentations on the ruins of Jerusalem, he received the highest rating, and became a student of the Academy. Along with learning Ilya attended the evening at home Kramskogo, where members gathered Artel Wanderers. Communicate with them and determined his artistic credo.

In 1871, Repin finished studying at the Academy of participation in the competition for the Grand Gold Medal. He writes now to the Gospel story "Resurrection of Jairus′s daughter. " The picture was commended at the academy. Repin was awarded the Grand Gold Medal, which gave the right to a six-year trip abroad at the expense of the Academy.

In 1873, Repin completes the picture "Barge Haulers on the Volga. Plot it emerged from the artist back in 1868, during a Sunday stroll along the Neva River.

Photo — «Ilya Repin»

Repin struck a contrast between the crowd of boatmen and encountered a "pure fragrant flower garden masters. " In his memoirs he wrote that "the effect of his heavy haulers, like a dark cloud, and overshadowed by a cheerful sun, I stretched behind them, until they disappeared from our eyes. "

In May 1870, together with the artist F. Vasiliev Repin went to the Volga, where did sketches and studies for the planned movie. "Boatmen" was shown at the World Exhibition in Vienna and brought the artist to European fame. Her acquired for its collection of one of the great princes.

VV Stasov wrote: ". . . Not in order to soften and lift the civil sighs, he wrote his painting, the Repin: he was struck he had seen the types and characters, it was still alive need to draw a remote, obscure Russian life, and he turned his pictures of a scene, for which an equal syschesh except in the most profound creations of Gogol.

In May 1873 Repin went abroad as a pensioner of the Academy of Fine Arts. He traveled with his wife and small child, his first daughter, Vera. Repin was married in February 1872, his chosen ones were Vera Shevtsova.

About three years the artist spent in Paris. He is not enthusiastic about contemporary art. Stasov he wrote: "Learn to us here is nothing . . . they have another principle, another problem, another view of the world. He wrote sketches in the Paris suburbs, street scenes, portraits (in particular, Ivan Turgenev), conceives and executes the big picture "Paris cafe".

In 1876, Repin wrote a portrait of his wife, explained in a gray dress and black hat with an ostrich feather. The appearance of the Faith Alekseevny full of grace. In her dress feels Parisian flavor.

In the same year, Repin returned to Russia. Here, already on Russian soil, he wrote a wonderful picture of "The turf bench, which is a group portrait to landscape. Artist IE Grabar both responded to this work: "Brilliant for craft, fresh and juicy, it belongs to the best landscaped grounds, ever written by Repin.

Repin and his family went to Chuguyiv in their homes. From the works of this period stand out sketch "A peasant from the timid" (1877) and the portrait of "Archdeacon" (1877).

Composer Modest Mussorgsky in a letter to Stasov wrote: ". . . saw" archdeacon ", created by our glorious Ilya Repin. But this is a whole mountain of fire-breathing! and eyes Varlaamischa and watching the audience. What a terrible sweep the brush, which is fertile expanse! "

"A peasant from the timid" and "Archdeacon" were exhibited at the Sixth Repin traveling exhibition in 1878.

Photo — «Ilya Repin»

In the summer of 1878 Repin holds in Abramtsevo have Mamontov. He has not once been here with his family, worked hard, he painted portraits, in particular, most Mamontov and his wife, landscapes and still lifes.

Since moving to Moscow Ilya Efimovich an interest in the Russian past. The result is a picture of the "Warrior XVII century" (1879), and soon a larger picture of the "Princess Sophia Alekseevna the Novodevichy Convent (1879).

Teacher and friend Repin Kramskoy reacted to the new creation of the artist very approvingly. He wrote that the image of the princess "meet history. " But Stasov argued that this theme is not in the nature of talent Repin, he held a write only what he sees in reality . . . He dramatik, it is not a historian. "

Even in 1876 in Chuguyev artist conceived the painting "Procession in Kursk province. Above this picture Repin works for a long time, carefully selecting the types. A crowd of different classes and states, gathered together the accomplishment of the religious rite, as it gave a vivid cross-section of existing in reality, relations between the layers of Russian society. The painting was done so that the viewer carefully and thoroughly examined it, looked at the details, certain types, facial expressions, the individual episodes, scenes and other details.

Also Chuguyev Repin wrote his first painting on the revolutionary theme - "Under the escort of gendarmes" (1876). More than once the artist is drawn to the image of a revolutionary. In "The arrest of the propagandist" (1880-1889) the protagonist - a young revolutionary, was captured by police. Peasants in a cottage with condemnation look at the prisoner. The artist skillfully showed loneliness hero among the people in whose name he had given his freedom.

To this cycle adjacent painting "The refusal of a confession", "Сходка", "The Unexpected" (1884).

"Together with the family all our attention is drawn to the incoming man. He′s worn a lot of Journey of boots, a red coat, sun-bleached and repeatedly washed by rain. Her eyes were sunken, looking searchingly and expectantly, his lips were habitually clenched fingers, clumsily released from the overly long sleeves, timidly pressed to my pitiful bonnet. Once looked at him, can not forget those inquiring eyes. An unforgettable face!

The faces and poses of native whole range of complex emotions expressed by each of them in different ways - joy, surprise, fear, and even the indifference of workers makes the experience even more convincing.

Photo — «Ilya Repin»

All - every pose participants scenes, the expression on their faces, gestures, subject to a single goal - to emphasize the significance of current events - the sudden appearance of a loved one after a long and tragic separation. However, every detail in the picture: the modest furnishings of the room, portraits of Nekrasov and Shevchenko on the wall even further reveal the basic design work, identify those sympathies and aspirations, what lived progressive intellectuals of the time "- examines the painting" The Unexpected "NA Shanina .

In 1885, Repin completes one of the most famous paintings "Ivan the Terrible and his son Ivan. " The wife of the great chemist Mendeleev recalls: "I will never forget, just suddenly Ilya Efimovich invited us to the studio. Shedding light on a closed now, he drew back the curtain. Before us was a "terrible" murder of his son. " How long they all stood in silence, then began to speak, rushed to congratulate Ilya Yefimovich, shook hands and embraced.

The force impact of the paintings vividly conveyed Kramskoy: "First of all, I was overcome by a feeling of complete satisfaction for Repin. Here is the thing in the level of talent! . . Expressed and convex unveiled at the forefront - unexpectedness murder! This is the most phenomenal feature, it is extremely difficult and a decision only the two figures. The father hit his son with a rod in his head! Minute, and his father cried out in horror, ran to his son, grabbed him, sat down on the floor, lifted him to his knees and clutched tightly, tightly wound with one hand on the temple (and the blood spurts and gaps between the fingers), while another across the waist, cuddle and hard, hard kisses the head of his poor (extremely cute) son, and he yells (positively screaming) from the horror, in a helpless position. Throwing, catching, and his head, the father stain half (upper) face in the blood. A detail of Shakespeare′s comedy . . . "Ivan the Terrible" - the phenomenon in Russian painting extraordinary. "

Conservative as part of Russian society, sharply condemned the picture. This view was expressed Attorney Pobedonostsev of the Holy Synod, which report to Tsar Alexander III said that this painting, "insulting to many government feeling. "

The picture was bought PM Tretyakov, but on the orders of Alexander III was forced to keep it in closed storage. Only in 1913, viewers saw a masterpiece.

Equally well known painting "The Cossacks, composing a letter to the Turkish Sultan (1878-1891). Repin fascinated by the idea of a noble mission, which took over the Cossacks, who created the People′s order of chivalry, set out to protect the free life of their brothers and sisters.

Photo — «Ilya Repin»

Creation of such a complex, multi-figure works demanded from the artist′s effort. Already approaching the completion of his work, he wrote in November 1890: "Zaporozhtsev" I have not finished yet. What a difficult thing - to end now! How many victims have to bear in favor of communal harmony! . . End do not expect: tight going. Most of the time now closed.

12 years old Repin worked on historical canvases depicting the freedom-loving people, embodied the sublime spirit of Zaporozhye freemen. Proud self-confidence inherent in the participants depicted scenes. Zaporozhtsy sends a challenge to the enemy and laugh at him. The artist once again proved himself a master to send the expression of human emotions.

"The Cossacks" were first exhibited at the jubilee exhibition of the artist in 1891. The picture was a success and was purchased for a very high price - 35000 rubles. The price was so great that even the Tretyakov was not able to buy it. The picture was bought by Alexander III.

The end of the eighties - the hard years for Repin. In 1887, he was at odds with his wife. With him are two older daughters Vera and Nadia, and the youngest, Tanya, and son, Yuri takes the mother. In the same year, Ilya Efimovich away from the Wanderers, accusing the Association in the bureaucracy. In 1888 he returned, but in 1890, finally leaving the Association, disagreeing with the change in its Charter.

As a result of all these experiences, mental anguish, creative surge of previous years, health Repin shaken. He wrote March 7, 1889 NV Stasovoy: "I just fatigue must be all nerves: almost can not work . . . Just thought the dark due to illness. Do you think you will die, and everything will nedomalevannym.

Severe fatigue Repin drew him into the bosom of nature, and the possession of a large sum of money after the sale "Zaporozhtsev" gives him the opportunity to get comfortable estate Zdravnevo in Vitebsk province, on the shore of the Western Dvina. Some time Repin enjoys her new position - engaged in an annex to house a workshop and other economic affairs. Rested, he created in 1892 with a beautiful portrait of her daughter Faith - "Autumn bouquet" and his daughter Nadia in a hunting suit with a gun.

Repin went down in history as the leading portrait painter. He created a gallery of portraits of his contemporaries: MP Mussorgsky (1881), AG Rubinstein (1881), VI Surikov (1885), AI Delvig (1882), DI Mendeleev (1885), PM Tretyakov (1883), MI Glinka (1887), IN Kramskogo (1882), TL Tolstoy (1893), AP Botkin (1900), VA Serova (1901), LN Andreev (1904), NA Morozova (1910), VG Korolenko (1912), VM Bechterew (1913), PP Chistyakov (1914).

Photo — «Ilya Repin»

Each image is an outstanding personality. IE Grabar rightly observes that "such a stunning portrait gallery, which left us Repin, was not created by anyone. "

He painted portraits quickly, sometimes seeing their model fits, even wrote from memory, such as Leo Tolstoy, lying under a tree. True masterpiece is the portrait of the composer Mussorgsky′s friend Repin, written before the death of the great musician. Kramskoy, himself a brilliant portraitist, having seen a portrait of Mussorgsky, according Stasova, "just gasped in surprise. " Stasov Tretyakov, wrote: "Portrait of Mussorgsky brush Repin - one of the greatest creations of Russian art.

Another masterpiece of the artist - a portrait of AF Pisemsky. Grabar does not hide his delight: "This is not just an ordinary portrait of the famous writer . . . and out of the ordinary work of art. Do not know the person depicted, so as not to doubt the power and truth of this characteristic.

In 1901, Ilya Efimovich begin work on a grand (4,62 x8, 53 meters), a group portrait "The solemn meeting of the State Council. " In work on Repin helped his students Kustodiev and Kulikov.

The artist gave a brilliant effect on the synthesis of the image of the ruling elite of Russia. Work on this pattern continued for several years. The idea of painting in the process changed several times, and the traditional official portrait is gradually turned into a great epic canvas.

In 1899, Repin combined second marriage to Natalia Nordman-Severova. A year later he moved to live with her dacha Penates Kuokalla in the town on the Karelian Isthmus, in the two-hour drive from St. Petersburg. Until 1907 Ilya Efimovich sometimes in his studio near St. Petersburg, and then continuously for living in Penates. In his house every Wednesday gathered guests. Here, read their works of Leonid Andreyev, Maxim Gorky, Korolenko, F. Chaliapin sang, came Bekhterev and V. Pavlov.

Natalia was a cultured woman, possessed of an imperious nature. It has organized such a course of life to Repin could work quietly. Nordman died in 1914 of tuberculosis.

After the October Revolution Kuokalla is outside the new Soviet state. Repin, so more and not returned to Russia. He died in Penates September 29, 1930.