Ill Girl by Malyavin - Public domain dedication image

Ilya Repin (1844-1930) was a Russian painter and one of the most famous artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was born in Chuguyev, Ukraine and studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St Petersburg. Repin's early works were influenced by the realist movement, which emphasised the accurate depiction of everyday life. He gained recognition for his painting 'Barge Haulers on the Volga' (1870-73), which depicted the gruelling work of men pulling a barge along the river. Repin's later works focused on historical and political themes, often depicting scenes from Russian history or contemporary events. He was known for his ability to capture human emotion and expression in his paintings. Some of his most famous works include 'Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan' (1885), 'Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks' (1891) and 'Portrait of Leo Tolstoy' (1893). Repin was also a member of the Peredvizhniki (Wanderers), a collective of artists who sought to break away from the traditional academic style of painting and bring art to a wider audience. Repin's legacy continues to influence Russian art today, and his works can be found in museums around the world, including the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.