Artwork

«Портрет певицы Марии Николаевны Климентовой»

«Портрет певицы Марии Николаевны Климентовой», by Ilya Repin, oil, 1892
«Портрет певицы Марии Николаевны Климентовой», by Ilya Repin, oil, 1892

«Портрет певицы Марии Николаевны Климентовой» is an oil painting by the Realist artist Ilya Repin. It dates from 1892 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Armenia.

About this work

Overview

This 1892 oil portrait by Ilya Repin captures Maria Nikolaevna Klimentova, a prominent Russian singer, in a formal setting. The work exemplifies Repin's realist style, characterized by meticulous detail and psychological depth.

Subject & Meaning

Maria Klimentova is portrayed sitting, dressed in a dark red gown with white lace accents, holding a fan. Her neutral expression and direct gaze towards the viewer convey a sense of composed elegance, reflecting her status as a cultural figure.

Technique & Style

Repin employs a realist approach, emphasizing accuracy in depicting Klimentova's attire and facial features. The contrast between her bright, intricately detailed dress and the dark background heightens the subject's prominence.

History & Provenance

Created as part of Repin's series on Russian cultural personalities, the portrait is now part of the National Gallery of Armenia's collection.

Context

As one of 19th-century Russia's leading artists, Repin's work, including this portrait, contributed to the realist movement's focus on everyday life and notable figures.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Ilya Repin

Artist

Ilya Repin

Ilya Yefimovich Repin (5 August 1844 – 29 September 1930) was a Ukrainian-born Russian painter.