Sketch for the painting Ceremonial Meeting of the State Council on May 7, 1901 1903

Ilya Repin made this sketch for a painting of the State Council meeting in 1901 with oil on canvas. The brushwork is loose, especially around the edges, almost like Repin is feeling his way through the shapes. There’s a real sense of artmaking as a process here. Look at how Repin handles the figure’s face. The paint is applied in these thick, almost sculptural strokes of pink, white, and green, capturing the light and shadow on his skin. The beard is just a few quick daubs of white, but they give you the whole idea of a bushy, dignified beard. And then there’s the dark background, a mix of deep reds and blacks, which makes the figure pop out. It’s interesting to see how the red from the background creeps into the foreground, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. This sketch reminds me a bit of Manet's portraits, especially in the way Repin uses bold brushstrokes and a limited palette to create a sense of immediacy and presence. It’s like he’s saying, "Here’s the man, in all his authority and humanity, but I'm not going to get too hung up on details."