Sketch for the painting Krestny Khod (Religious Procession) in Kursk Gubernia 

This is Ilya Repin’s oil sketch for his painting *Religious Procession in Kursk Gubernia*. Repin lived and worked during a time of significant social and political change in Russia, marked by the rise of populist movements and increasing awareness of social inequalities. In this painting, Repin captures a moment of quiet reverence amidst the grandeur of the religious procession. The woman, adorned in a traditional headscarf, cradles an icon, her gaze lowered in solemn contemplation. Is she a participant or merely an observer? Repin was known for his empathetic portrayals of the peasantry, and here, he imbues his subject with a sense of dignity and inner strength, challenging the stereotypes of rural life. The sketch invites us to reflect on the intersection of faith, identity, and social class in the context of 19th-century Russia. It serves as a window into the emotional and spiritual lives of ordinary people. The woman with the icon embodies a resilience rooted in tradition and faith.