Tzar Ivan the Terrible asks Abbot Cornelius to mow him to the monks 

Klavdy Lebedev made this painting of Tzar Ivan the Terrible using oil paint on canvas. Oil paint allows an artist to achieve realistic depictions, and also explore color and luminosity. Here, Lebedev makes clear the textures of fur, metal, and cloth. This is emphasized in the dark robes of the monks, made of heavy wool. These garments contrast with the fine silk and gold trim of Ivan's yellow robe, a distinction that clearly indicates status and power. The icons on the wall and the ornate metalwork of the bookstand reference a culture of craft production, in which time-honored techniques were used to create valuable objects and artworks. Labor is also revealed in the rug, its surface covered with intricate woven patterns. Understanding how materials and making are used in the service of representation gives us a powerful insight into the painting’s deeper meaning, and allows us to question our inherited ideas of art and craft.