Portrait of sculptor Mark Matveevich Antokolski 1914

Ilya Repin painted this portrait of sculptor Mark Matveevich Antokolski using oil on canvas. Here, Antokolski is seen holding a rod, a symbol of authority and guidance. The rod is reminiscent of the scepter held by rulers or the staff carried by religious figures in ancient art, signifying power and control. The relaxed yet assured way Antokolski holds the rod suggests a mastery over his craft, a connection to the artistic legacy passed down through generations. Consider, for instance, the ancient Egyptian depictions of pharaohs holding a crook and flail, symbols of their divine right to rule. Over time, the rod transforms, appearing in various contexts—the conductor's baton, the shepherd's staff, each carrying its own distinct yet related connotations. This continuity reveals our collective memory of the rod as a symbol of power and direction, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This is a symbol that continues to evolve, resurfacing in new forms and contexts, shaped by the ever-changing currents of history and culture.