Burlak 1870

"Burlak" (1870) by Ilya Repin is a painting of a Russian man, likely a barge hauler. Depicted in realistic detail, the man wears a traditional green tunic, his face marked with weariness and the heavy burden of his labor. The simple background of a wooden fence and a cloudy sky emphasizes the figure's isolation and the harsh realities of manual labor in 19th century Russia. Repin, known for his social realist style, captured the physical and emotional toll of poverty and toil, making "Burlak" a powerful commentary on the working class of his time.