A. Pushkin on the act in the Lyceum on Jan. 8, 1815 reads his poem memories in Tsarskoe Selo 1911

Ilya Repin made this painting to show Alexander Pushkin reading his poem in 1815. Can you imagine the scene? A young poet, full of nerves and excitement, standing before a crowd. Repin captures the moment with loose brushstrokes and a warm palette. Look at the faces in the audience, each one a study in concentration. The painting feels alive, as if we’re right there in the room with them. It’s not a photograph, you know? It's Repin’s memory of a moment, with all the imprecisions that implies. I’m drawn to the textures, like impasto, built up on the canvas like sediment over time. The red of the table contrasts with the figures behind, creating depth and drama. You can feel the weight of history in this piece, and you almost hear the sound of Pushkin reading. I think what makes this painting so powerful is its ability to transport us to another time and place, offering a glimpse into the world of a young genius on the verge of greatness. Artists are always responding to each other like that, across time, right? It makes me feel connected.