Who painted Old woman?

Old woman was painted by Ilya Repin in 1870.

Where can I see Old woman?

Old woman is held by Tretyakov Gallery.

What movement is Old woman?

Old woman is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of Old woman?

Museum-quality prints of Old woman are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Old woman

Ilya Repin , 1870

Old woman 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

Created in 1870, *Old Woman* is an oil painting on canvas by Ilya Yefimovich Repin, a Ukrainian‑born artist who worked within the Russian realist tradition of the nineteenth century. The work presents a single figure in a straightforward, unembellished manner, aligning with the period’s focus on truthful, everyday representation. It is part of the Tretyakov Gallery’s permanent collection.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on an elderly woman seated in a simple chair, her hands folded on her lap. She wears a dark hat, a similarly dark coat, and a white scarf that frames her neck. Her face, marked by deep lines and a solemn expression, looks directly ahead while her eyes are lowered, evoking a quiet, introspective mood.

Technique & Style

Repin employs a muted palette of browns, blacks, and whites, allowing the texture of the woman’s skin and clothing to emerge through careful brushwork. The rendering of wrinkles and the subtle play of light on fabric demonstrate his commitment to realistic detail, while the dark background isolates the figure, emphasizing her presence without decorative distraction.

History & Provenance

The painting was produced during a formative phase of Repin’s career, when he was establishing his reputation among Russia’s leading artists. After its completion, the work entered the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery, where it remains accessible to the public as an example of Repin’s early portraiture within the realist movement.