Portrait of Leo Tolstoy 1887

Ilya Repin painted this portrait of Leo Tolstoy, the famous Russian writer, using oil on canvas. Repin created this portrait during a period of significant social and intellectual change in Russia. Tolstoy was a figurehead for social and moral reform, advocating for nonviolence and simple living. Here we see Tolstoy depicted not in the guise of an aristocratic intellectual, but as a man of the people. His simple, dark clothing and the plain background emphasize a rejection of the opulent lifestyle associated with his social class. The book in his hands is a powerful symbol. It represents Tolstoy’s intellectual and spiritual pursuits, but also his commitment to disseminating knowledge and ideas. Through this portrait, Repin captures Tolstoy's complex identity: a nobleman by birth who became a moral guide. The emotional depth conveyed through Repin's brushwork invites us to reflect on our own values and beliefs.