Follow me, Satan (Temptation of Jesus Christ) 1903

Ilya Repin made this painting about the temptation of Christ with oils and probably a whole lot of turpentine. You know, paintings like this always make me wonder about process, especially the pink sky: was it laid down thinly, and then wiped away? I’m interested in the way Repin works with the material qualities of paint to create this eerie scene. Look at how the surface is scrubbed and blurred around the edges of the figures, which creates a sense of unease. I love the way he renders the figure of Christ: he's not heroic, not buff, just a regular guy in a robe. Then, look at the ghost of Satan there, this red fever dream on the left, which melts into the sky. It feels like Repin’s style here is a bit of a nod to Rembrandt, who used dramatic lighting and a similarly dark palette to create a sense of drama. But while Rembrandt’s figures are solid, Repin's painting feels more psychological, almost a dream.