Ilya Repin article by Brandon

Linda Brandon · 01-25-2003, 08:55 PM

The recently released publication of the Portrait Society of Atlanta, "Folio" (Fall, 2002), contains my article on the Russian portrait painter Ilya Repin.

I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to write about one of my favorite painters.

Mari DeRuntz · 01-26-2003, 12:28 AM

Congratulations, Linda! I'd love to get ahold of a copy; is there a link to an on-line issue? Or would you mind reprinting to my email, since I'm not a member of the PSOA?

Cynthia Daniel · 01-26-2003, 01:45 PM

Linda,

How about if you post the article in the Artists of the Past section for all to enjoy?

Linda Brandon · 01-26-2003, 09:34 PM

Hi Mari and Cynthia,

Thanks for your comments. I'll find out whether it's okay with the PSOA to post the article and, if so, how exactly to go about doing that. In the meantime I will scan in some Repin paintings on that thread.

Anyway, I'll take this opportunity to put in a good word for the PSOA and its excellent Folio. They are an extremely well organized and helpful group.

As I was writing the article I was searching for an old photo of Repin wearing a palette that attached to his waist, a bit like a drum. If anyone who reads this has that photo, I would love to see it posted.

Peggy Baumgaertner · 01-28-2003, 01:35 AM

Linda,

I just received the current Folio, and was tickled to read your very instructive article on Ilya Repin. A wonderful article on a fascinating man!

Because we are safely tucked away here in the publication section, and I am newly back from a two week trip, I hope you won't mind if I wax nostalgic.

I was napping in the back seat of a car on the way to a beach outside of St. Petersburg when I opened one eye and caught a glimpse of a fence and Cyrillic writing by some estate.

"What's that" I asked groggily.

"It's Penates,"

"What's Penates?" I asked.

"It's Repina. It's Repin's estate". I sat bolt upright and demanded we go back.

"We can't, we're going to the beach".

"Forget the beach, we have to go back!"

They promised we would stop back on the drive home, and I pestered them silly to pack up lunch and head out. We finally arrived back at the Penates, but only had 30 minutes before it closed. We ran through the place, snapping pictures, and after the building closed, explored the grounds. Repin is buried back behind the house, a little stature atop his grave. There are gardens and wonderful walkways everywhere.

He lived in a studio which is also a house. (As opposed to a house with a studio) There were three studios, including one in the back which was a glassed-in gazebo attached to the house, and a bedroom and a kitchen.

I'm posting several picture of his house, a delightfully gingerbread concoction of spires, odd rooms, and fairy tale whimsy.

I still can't believe that if I hadn't awakened at the very moment, I would have missed one of the most exciting studios I have ever visited!

Peggy

Peggy Baumgaertner · 01-28-2003, 01:39 AM

More Penates, the glass gazebo studio:

Peggy Baumgaertner · 01-28-2003, 01:41 AM

Close up looking onto the gazebo studio:

Peggy Baumgaertner · 01-28-2003, 01:43 AM

Inside the gazebo studio:

Chris Saper · 01-28-2003, 09:38 AM

Dear Linda,

The Folio arrived yesterday, and it was so good to read your delightful and informative article.

Congratulations! (Nice photo of you at the quick-draw, too!)

And Peggy, thanks for posting these marvelous photos. What a place!

Linda Brandon · 01-29-2003, 11:21 AM

Chris,

Thank you for your kind remarks! They are much appreciated.

Peggy,

These are terrific photos. What a studio! Lucky you to have been there! And that is one killer podium. Actually, it helps explain the low viewpoint of many Repin paintings. A lot of his sitters seem to have Peter the Great stature. I wonder - how many sitters fell off that podium?