Who painted Cry of prophet Jeremiah on the Ruins of Jerusalem?

Cry of prophet Jeremiah on the Ruins of Jerusalem was painted by Ilya Repin in 1870.

Where can I see Cry of prophet Jeremiah on the Ruins of Jerusalem?

Cry of prophet Jeremiah on the Ruins of Jerusalem is held by Tretyakov Gallery.

What movement is Cry of prophet Jeremiah on the Ruins of Jerusalem?

Cry of prophet Jeremiah on the Ruins of Jerusalem is associated with Realism.

Artwork

Cry of prophet Jeremiah on the Ruins of Jerusalem

Ilya Repin , 1870

Cry of prophet Jeremiah on the Ruins of Jerusalem is an oil painting by the Realist artist Ilya Repin. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery.

About this work

Overview

Ilya Repin’s 1870 oil painting *Cry of Prophet Jeremiah on the Ruins of Jerusalem* presents a solitary, cloaked figure amid the shattered remains of Jerusalem’s temple complex. The composition balances a monumental stone backdrop with a despondent prophet, whose bowed posture and clasped hands convey profound lament.

Subject & Meaning

The work draws on the biblical narrative of Jeremiah’s lament over the destruction of Jerusalem, using the prophet’s gesture and downcast gaze to embody collective sorrow. By placing the figure before the crumbling architecture, Repin visualizes the spiritual and cultural loss associated with the city’s fall.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the painting employs a muted palette that juxtaposes warm, earthen tones of the ruined masonry with cool blues and grays of the sky. Repin’s handling of light creates depth, while the soft rendering of the prophet’s robes adds a subtle, melancholic atmosphere characteristic of 19th‑century Realism.

History & Provenance

Created during Repin’s early career, the canvas reflects his interest in historic and religious subjects before he turned to socially charged scenes such as *Barge Haulers on the Volga*. The painting entered the Tretyakov Gallery’s collection, where it remains part of the museum’s Russian art holdings.

Context

The piece belongs to the Realist movement, which sought to depict subjects with fidelity and emotional truth. Repin, a Ukrainian‑born artist active in the Russian Empire, used biblical themes to comment on contemporary concerns about cultural devastation and moral decline.