By Do Gwang-hwan
SEOUL April 28 (Yonahp) -- When I first encountered the art work, I was drawn into the title of the painting instead of the looks of the work. After acknowledging the title, I fell deep in to the characters portrayed within the work. Art work “They Did Not Expect Him,” painted in 1888 by Russian artist Ilya Repin (1844–1930) is considered to be one of the most underrated artwork throughout the history of Russian art.
 |
| ▲This painting located within the Tretyakov Gallery in Russia show Ilya Repin's 'They Did Not Expect Him.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (yonhap) |
Facial expressions of the characters portrayed within the artwork are very realistic. From a guys who just stepped into the house, to a maternal figure who stood up by a surprise, daughter who seems to have no idea who the man is, a boy who greets the man with a smile, and more, the depiction shown through the artwork is marvelous.
When I truly channeled in with the artwork, I thought I could hear the carriage stop, footsteps, door opening, and more. Where did the father figure returned from ? War? Exile? Although he might not have been missed or expected by others, man probably has dreamt of this very moment to reunite with his family throughout the time.
Ilya Repin is one of the greatest Russian painters of all time within the genre of realism. It is hard to find other artist who managed to depict the daily lives of Russian working class and the hardships they have been through.
Russian Artists who have solidified the grounds of realism are often addressed as peredvizhniki. Those classified as peredvizhniki are the ones who travel to various locations to dive deep into the daily lives of the majority to realistically portray the scenes.
Artist Ilya Repin who represents the group peredvizhniki worked very hard to maintain and continue on with the ideology of freedom. He was very skeptical about the October revolution. After the soviet government settled in, he was offered to return back to the nation however Ilya Repin refused and stayed in Finland until he died.
Before he left Russia Ilya Repin released series of artworks with successfully incorporated his understanding of freedom and will. The painting showcased below is “What Freedom!” released in 1903.
Although the waves and the current are wild, despite of the situation a couple portrayed within the work seemed to be enjoying their freedom with big smile on their faces while holding each other’s hands. The work might be portraying Repin’s will to escape the scene of the Russian politics due to its chaotic nature.
 |
| ▲This painting located within Hermitage Museum show Ilya Repin's paining 'What Freedom!' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (yonhap) |
As for the work with amazing scenic portray, artist Ilya Repin used the overlaying theme of harsh life. If the previously mentioned artwork “What Freedom!” depicted the heartwarming situation, “Barge Haulers on the Volga” released in 1873 showcases pain. If the paintings introduced earlier throughout the segments depicts omen for the revolution, “Barge Haulers on the Volga” shows the reason for the revolution.
 |
| ▲This painting located within Russian Museum show Ilya Repin's painting 'Barge Haulers on the Volga.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (yonhap) |
All 11 of the workers who are portrayed throughout the painting shows realistic depiction of pain, misery and agony inflicted by reality, and neglected by freedom, flexibility, privileges. Painting successfully incorporates despair and sadness inflicted by repeated by physical labor. If the boat depicted throughout the art symbolizes the system the workers symbolize the motor which implements and follows the regulations inflicted by the hierarchy. It seems as if the workers depicted throughout the painting are enduring the pain to fend for their meal.
Bright blue sky with red sanded beach contrasts with one another to put more emphasis on the characters depicted throughout the piece. It seems as if the painting is showcasing the contrast between reality and the ideal. Artist Ilya Repin is known to have met up with a lot of people in order to finish his sketch. Repin’s work “They Did Not Expect Him,” was produced while he was in his 40s which was his prime time, however Repin drew “Barge Haulers on the Volga” when he was only in his late 20s. The fact that he was able to create such masterpiece at such early age strikes once again with amusement.
Ilay Repin was known to be good friends with world renowned Russian writer Lev Tolstoy (1828-1910). Repin who encountered Tolstoy in 1880 at his art studio continued on with his friendship with Tolstoy for over 30 years and showcased various portraits of him.
Lev Tolstoy’s ideology and belief of anti violence and social criticism fully bloomed from the tips of Ilya Repin’s paint brushes. These paintings showcase “Portrait of Tolstoy” from 1887 and “Tolstoy reading under a tree in the forest” from 1891.
 |
| ▲These paintings located within Tretyakov Gallery show Ilya Repin's portrait of Lev Tolstoy 'Portrait of Tolstoy,' and 'Tolstoy reading under a tree in the forest.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (yonhap) |
Ilya Repin who represents Russian Art scene and became famous throughout the world, managed to shine light on various subject matters regarding, humanity, history and the world. His works may have shown the love and affection he had on humanity, history and the world.
Repin was born at a north eastern city called Chuhuiv of Ukraine which is currently effected the war between Russia and Ukraine. The war has continued on for over a year, I hope everyone will be able to rejoice the freedom and peace while segregated family members will be able to reunite. I glaze into one of the most well known paintings by Ilya Repin “They Did Not Expect Him.”
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Joonha Yoo)
(END)
(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved
