Leo Tolstoy barefoot 1891

Curator: Ilya Repin’s portrait, "Leo Tolstoy Barefoot," painted in 1891, offers us an intimate glimpse into the life of the famed author. Repin used oil paints to bring us closer to Tolstoy in a way that feels remarkably honest and unguarded. Editor: My initial reaction is…serenity. The muted palette, dominated by greens and earth tones, evokes a sense of quiet contemplation. There's an unpretentious naturalism that really grabs me. The title becomes more provocative when one thinks of this great mind depicted in the humblest, rawest of forms. Curator: Absolutely. Repin wasn't merely painting Tolstoy; he was capturing Tolstoy's philosophy, his embrace of simplicity and connection with the land, or at least, his attempt at it. Notice how the loose brushwork adds to this sense of immediacy. Editor: I'm thinking about the symbolism of those bare feet. In the context of late 19th-century Russia, with its rigid social hierarchies, this feels like a deliberate act of rebellion against aristocratic norms, of claiming solidarity with the peasantry and, therefore, challenging the legitimacy of Tsarist structures and the Church, given that Tolstoy was ultimately excommunicated. Curator: It’s also deeply personal, isn't it? Repin clearly admires Tolstoy's conviction, but there's also, I think, a tenderness, seeing him like this, vulnerable almost. There's that light in his eye—the inner life of a giant of literature shining through a rough exterior. That is, Tolstoy lived a complex, often contradictory life; a wealthy landowner preaching poverty! Repin's art isn't about lionizing him but humanizing him. Editor: Precisely, the artist isn’t shying away from revealing internal conflict—I mean, that’s so apparent in Tolstoy's writings. It feels important to look beyond Tolstoy's personal journey towards understanding broader structural power dynamics during that historical moment. Tolstoy tried to embrace egalitarianism despite coming from wealth, but could never achieve it entirely, mired as he was within structures he sought to undo. The image asks what it means to earnestly confront such a paradox. Curator: Looking at this again, I feel like Repin achieved the goal of turning the public icon into an intimate portrait, like a secret moment captured. Editor: Agreed. It is indeed a very profound testament to one of history's most controversial but influential figures.