Statement of the model in the studio of Ilya Repin 1899

Boris Kustodiev captured this scene with oil on canvas, depicting a life drawing session in Ilya Repin's studio. At first glance, the composition appears traditionally academic: a nude model centered, surrounded by observing artists. Yet, the formal arrangement introduces subtle disruptions. The color palette is muted, dominated by browns and blues, except for the model's skin and vibrant textiles at the lower left. This contrast draws our eye, creating tension between the traditional subject and avant-garde coloristic elements. The artists, formally dressed, peer at the model who is the subject of their intense gaze. Kustodiev plays with perspective, flattening the background and tilting the foreground upwards. The model becomes less an object of classical study and more a point of departure for exploring color, form, and the dynamics of artistic creation. The painting destabilizes the power dynamics of the artist/model relationship, suggesting a shift towards modern artistic interpretations.