Portrait of A Judean 

Ilya Repin painted this oil sketch, *Portrait of A Judean*, at an unknown date. The work provides us with some insight into the cultural milieu of late 19th century Russia, rife with debates about national and religious identity. Although Repin is known for his commitment to realism, and particularly for his depictions of the Russian peasantry, here he seems to be more interested in a generalized type. We might consider how prevailing stereotypes about Jewish people were circulating at this time, and how an artist might challenge or perpetuate such stereotypes. It is worth noting that this was a period when Jews in Russia were subject to legal discrimination and violent persecution. To understand this work better, we might look at the artist's other works, read contemporary press accounts, or delve into the history of the Russian Jewish community. In any case, the meaning of art is never self-evident but contingent on social context.