Head of I. I. Levitan turned like the head of Christ in the "Dream" 1894

Vasily Polenov painted this head study of I. I. Levitan, a fellow Russian artist, evoking the image of Christ in the "Dream." This portrait operates within a complex web of artistic and social references. Polenov, deeply religious, sought to infuse his art with moral and spiritual meaning. The "Dream" reference suggests Polenov aimed to ennoble Levitan, aligning him with a figure of compassion and sacrifice. Yet, Russia in the late 19th century was also a society grappling with social inequality and religious questioning. The art world was closely tied to the Russian Orthodox Church with many religious undertones. Paintings of religious subjects had to be approved by the state. Polenov's choice to imbue a contemporary artist with Christ-like qualities might be interpreted as a commentary on the role of artists in society and a plea for empathy towards those on the margins. To fully appreciate this work, historians can investigate the religious, social, and artistic climate of 19th-century Russia, exploring the relationship between art, faith, and social reform through institutional records of the time.