Portrait of a public figure Poliksena Stepanovna Stasova (1839-1918), wife of D. Stasov Ilya Repin (1844-1930)
Ilya Repin – Portrait of a public figure Poliksena Stepanovna Stasova (1839-1918), wife of D. Stasov
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Painter: Ilya Repin
Location: State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg (Государственный Русский Музей).
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The painting is dedicated to the amazing woman Poliksena Stepanovna Stasova. She was an active public figure. She fought for women’s rights and defended the need for women to receive an education. The artist tried to convey the inner world of the famous Russian woman. On the canvas depicts a woman. She is sitting on an armchair with a high back. The armchair is made of dark wood, covered with varnish.
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Description of Ilya Repin’s Portrait of P. S. Stasova
The painting is dedicated to the amazing woman Poliksena Stepanovna Stasova. She was an active public figure. She fought for women’s rights and defended the need for women to receive an education. The artist tried to convey the inner world of the famous Russian woman.
On the canvas depicts a woman. She is sitting on an armchair with a high back. The armchair is made of dark wood, covered with varnish. The soft upholstery of the piece of furniture is made of velvety green fabric with dark speckles. Such light, soft upholstery of the chair shades and emphasizes the figure of Poliksena Stasova favorably. Such furniture has always been exclusive to wealthy people, which indicates Stasova’s good position in society. Their family has prosperity, and she is able to engage in socially useful work, instead of hard work at home. Another small luxury item at work is the gold watch on the lady’s right hand. Perhaps these are all the details that indicate the wealth of the Stasov family. Her left hand is placed on the armrest of the chair.
We can see that it is a modest woman, dressed in a black long dress. There are no patterns or embroidery on it. Only the small black ruffles at the top of the dress are visible. Instead of a collar, Stasova is wearing a small white jabot. This closet detail is also repeated on the woman’s cuffs - wide white ruffles protrude from under the sleeves. Stasova’s hair is loose. The woman has only slightly secured it at the back of her head, allowing her lush black hair to lie freely on her shoulders.
Stasova Poliksena is no longer young, she is already 40 years old at the time of the painting. The woman is shown a bit tired. You can see at once that she gives a lot of strength and energy to her business. Her eyes are calm, a bit stern, but still radiate kindness. Her lips are depicted in a slight smile, her right eyebrow raised.
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The color palette is dominated by dark tones: deep blacks and browns of her dress contrast with the lighter hues of her lace collar and cuffs. This creates visual interest while also contributing to an overall sense of solemnity and restraint. The chair itself, rendered in muted oranges and yellows, provides a warm backdrop that prevents the darkness from becoming oppressive.
The artist’s brushwork is evident throughout; loose strokes define the fabric of her dress and the texture of the chairs woven back. This technique lends a degree of informality to what would otherwise be a formal portrait, suggesting an attempt at capturing not just likeness but also character. The light falls primarily on her face and hands, highlighting these areas and drawing attention to her expression. Her eyes are particularly striking – they convey intelligence and perhaps a hint of melancholy.
Subtleties in the details offer further insight. The lace detailing on her sleeves and collar suggests refinement and social standing. The way she holds her hand, lightly resting on the armrest, conveys a sense of quiet strength and self-possession. Theres an absence of overt ornamentation or jewelry; this reinforces the impression of a woman defined by intellect and integrity rather than material possessions.
The overall effect is one of understated elegance and intellectual depth. The portrait seems to aim for more than mere representation; it seeks to convey a sense of inner life, suggesting a person of considerable character and influence.