The artwork “Portrait of painter and sculptor Mikhail Osipovich Mikeshin” is an oil on canvas painting created by the renowned artist Ilya Repin in 1888. This piece exemplifies the Realist art movement and is a portrait genre work with the dimensions of 108 x 87 cm. The artwork is in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery located in Moscow, Russia.
The artwork presents a half-length portrait of Mikhail Osipovich Mikeshin, a painter and sculptor, poised against a dark, textured background that suggests both depth and moodiness. Repin’s use of chiaroscuro enhances the three-dimensionality of the figure, drawing the viewer’s attention to the subject’s distinguished facial features and the lively expressions contained therein. Mikeshin is depicted with a direct gaze, confronting the viewer, holding what appears to be a small object, perhaps a tool of his trade or a personal item, subtly implying the sitter’s profession or interests. The brushwork is meticulous yet energetic, capturing the essence of Mikeshin’s character through the realism for which Repin is celebrated. The restrained palette accents the figure, emphasizing the subject’s importance and personality, while the nuanced lighting bestows a sense of vitality on the portrait, immortalizing the artist in the moment.
