Portrait of the composer Anatoly Konstantinovich Lyadov 1902

Ilya Repin painted this portrait of the composer Anatoly Konstantinovich Lyadov in 1902 using oil paints. There’s a kind of tonal harmony in the way Repin built up the image, particularly in the subtle variations of color in Lyadov’s face. It gives the impression that he’s been working at this for a while, wiping off and repainting and layering the colors to create depth. Looking closely at the sleeve of Lyadov's jacket, you can see the texture of the paint. It’s not quite impasto, but the brushstrokes are visible, particularly around the edges. This is the kind of painting where the materiality of the medium is apparent, adding to the emotional weight of the piece. The dark tones of the suit create a somber mood, which is offset by the gentle curves of the gold watch chain and the soft light on Lyadov’s face. Repin’s portraiture reminds me of Velazquez, in the way he captured something essential about the sitter. It’s about finding a way to convey character through paint.