Nude Model (from behind) 1896

This is “Nude Model (from behind)” by Ilya Repin, and the medium is oil on canvas. Repin used traditional techniques of oil painting to portray the female nude. Consider the layers of thin glazes he applied to achieve the skin tones. Notice the texture of the paint itself, particularly in the background. The artist's hand is evident in every brushstroke. As an artist working in Russia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Repin would have been part of a well-established system of art academies and patronage. This meant he had access to training, materials, and markets for his work, and his paintings reflect the labor involved in their creation, both in the physical act of painting and in the social systems that supported it. So, next time you see an oil painting, remember that it is more than just an image. It is also a product of skill, labor, and a specific set of historical circumstances.