Portrait of a peasant 

This "Portrait of a Peasant" was painted by Ilya Repin using oil on canvas. Repin's quick brushstrokes are thick and visible, particularly in the man's face and hair, giving the surface a tactile quality. This application of paint is not just about rendering an image; it speaks to the labor involved in the making. The artist is clearly less concerned with portraying his subject as a polished member of the elite than capturing the rough-hewn reality of working-class life. The visible brushwork adds to the sense of immediacy, suggesting that Repin valued the act of painting, and the physical qualities of his medium, as much as the subject itself. This brings to mind traditions of craft, where the hand of the maker is celebrated rather than concealed. So, next time you see an artwork, remember to look closely at the materials and how they've been worked. You might be surprised by what they reveal about the artist's intentions and the world in which they lived.