Portrait of N.D. Ermakov 1914

Ilya Repin's "Portrait of N.D. Ermakov" feels like a fleeting moment captured with oil on canvas. You can see how Repin uses brisk, confident strokes to build up the form, especially in the white suit. It's not about perfection, but about the energy of seeing. Look closely, and you’ll notice how the brushwork creates a palpable sense of texture. The red accent, like a slash on his chest, adds this punch, a little burst of emotion. It's as if Repin is saying, "Here's the surface, here's the paint, here's the person, all at once!" Repin, like his contemporary Manet, clearly embraces the idea of painting as an ongoing investigation, full of delightful uncertainties, where each stroke is a step into the unknown.