Exhibition View of Ilya Repin: Encyclopedia of Russian Life
Ilya Repin was generally regarded as a "visual poet" of Russian art, a radiant star that never fades in the long river of realist art, and the leading representative of Russian Critical Realist painting. Repin, with highly democratic critical eyes and a compassionate heart, calmly and truthfully depicted the destiny and spirit of the Russian nation in the 19th century. The National Museum of China, in collaboration with the State Tretyakov Gallery and with the support of the State Russian Museum, presents the Ilya Repin: Encyclopedia of Russian Life as part of the China-Russia Year of Culture. This is the first large-scale presentation of Repin's works in China, which provides a comprehensive view of his artistic legacy.
Exhibition View of Ilya Repin: Encyclopedia of Russian Life
The exhibition unfolds in four thematic sections: "Songs Around the Riverbank: The Beginning of an Artistic Journey", "Vast Land: Quests for Realism", "Epic of the Era: Souls Dear to the Nation", and "Contemplations in the Twilight: Free Pursuits in Later Years". Featuring 92 oil paintings and drawings, it systematically traces the artistic career of this master of the Peredvizhniki (the Wanderers), and reveals his unique aesthetic of "coexistence of reason and passion".
Exhibition View of Ilya Repin: Encyclopedia of Russian Life
Repin unveils the awakening of a nation and the warmth of an era with his brushes, offering glimpses of Russian culture and art. The wrinkles of laborers, the intellectuals' contemplations, and the many faces amid historical upheavals depicted by Repin resonate with the traditional Chinese pursuit of "conveying truth through literature". The influence of Repin and his art on Chinese realist art and art education speaks of the exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and Russian civilizations.
Exhibition View of Ilya Repin: Encyclopedia of Russian Life
About the Exhibition
Ilya Repin: Encyclopedia of Russian Life
Dates: July 23, 2025 – January 11, 2026
Venue: Galleries S3 and S4, National Museum of China
Courtesy of National Museum of China, edited by CAFA ART INFO.
