Putting a Propagandist Under Arrest 1879

Ilya Repin made this pen and ink drawing, ‘Putting a Propagandist Under Arrest,’ in 1879. It depicts the arrest of a political agitator in a Russian peasant community. Repin was invested in the social role of art, depicting the realities of Russian life with unflinching detail. Here, the image creates meaning through sharp contrasts. The officers of the Tsarist regime are armed, while the propagandist is at their mercy. The community is divided – some appear sympathetic to the propagandist; others appear hostile. It reflects the tensions of a society undergoing rapid change, with the rise of revolutionary ideas challenging traditional hierarchies. Repin critiques the institution of Tsarist autocracy, exposing its repressive tactics. Historians consult a variety of sources to better understand an artwork like this – from government archives to the artist’s own letters and diaries, offering a glimpse into the social and institutional contexts that shaped this image.