Student Nihilist 1883

Ilya Repin painted this oil on canvas, Student Nihilist, in 1883. It is a striking character study, quickly executed. Notice how Repin used the oil paint to its full potential, employing visible brushstrokes to build up the form and texture. The dark coat is almost violently applied, suggesting an air of rebellious disregard. The materiality of the oil paint, thick and opaque, helps to create a sense of depth and solidity, while also capturing the subject's psychological state. Historically, oil paint has been a favored medium for portraiture as its capacity to render the nuances of the human form. In this painting, Repin's use of such a traditional medium, combined with the modern subject of a "nihilist," creates a tension between the old and the new. The loose, expressive brushwork is in line with the spirit of the subject: energetic and anti-establishment. Ultimately, the material qualities of the paint and Repin's handling of it contribute to the overall meaning and impact of the artwork.