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Ilya Repin Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Ilya Repin our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Ilya Repin · 1844 – 1930

The Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks to Sultan Mahmoud IV.

1878 · original 217 x 361 cm

Experience Repin’s ‘The Reply of the Cossacks’! A monumental Russian Realist painting depicting Ukrainian defiance. Explore its rich colors & historical significance – a captivating masterpiece.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$42541 × 24 cm Commission this artwork

Rest. Portrait of Vera Repina, Artist's Wife.

1882 · Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow · original 69 x 57 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20025 × 41 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$29957 × 69 cm Commission at original size

Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan on November 16, 1581.

1885 · Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow · original 199 x 254 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20035 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of the Composer Mikhail Glinka.

1887 · Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow · original 98 x 117 cm

Admire Ilya Repin's 'Portrait of Mikhail Glinka,' capturing the composer’s serene contemplation. This iconic 1887 oil painting, housed at the Tretyakov Gallery, showcases Repin’s masterful realism and artistic significance.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20034 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$552117 × 98 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of the Actress Pelageya Strepetova

1882 · Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow · original 61 x 50 cm

Admire Ilya Repin's 'Portrait of the Actress Pelageya Strepetova,' a captivating masterpiece showcasing Russian realism and capturing the solemn gaze of actress Strepetova against a striking red backdrop.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20027 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$26950 × 61 cm Commission at original size

Unexpected Return.

1884 · Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow · original 160 x 167 cm

A profound meditation on Russian society, this 1884 masterpiece by Ilya Repin captures the emotional return of a revolutionary through masterful realism, inviting you to explore this poignant moment in art history.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20032 × 31 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1059167 × 160 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of the Composer Anton Rubinstein.

1881 · Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow · original 80 x 62 cm

Admire Ilya Repin's iconic 1881 portrait of Anton Rubinstein! This masterpiece captures the composer’s introspective nature with masterful detail & light. Explore a stunning oil reproduction now.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20027 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$33462 × 80 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of the Poet Voinov

1926 · original 74 x 52 cm

Experience the impressionistic realism of Repin's Portrait of the Poet Voinov (1926), capturing intellectual depth with visible brushwork; discover this masterpiece today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20026 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$29652 × 74 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Professor Ivanov

1882 · original 58 x 48 cm

A captivating Realist portrait by Ilya Repin, 1882, depicts Professor Ivanov in a contemplative pose with masterful brushwork and subtle color palette. Own a stunning reproduction of this iconic Russian masterpiece.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20029 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$26048 × 58 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Tatyana Repina, the Artist's Mother.

1867 · National Gallery, Prague · original 62 x 50 cm

Admire Ilya Repin's 'Portrait of Tatyana Repina,' a poignant oil painting capturing his mother’s serene beauty and artistic spirit. A masterpiece reflecting Russian realism & family legacy.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$27150 × 62 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of composer and journalist Pavel Ivanovich Blaramberg.

1884 · Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow · original 78 x 60 cm

Admire Ilya Repin’s ‘Portrait of Pavel Blaramberg,’ a captivating 1884 oil painting showcasing the composer's thoughtful gaze and scholarly pursuits. A stunning reproduction by OriginalUniqueArt.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$32460 × 78 cm Commission at original size

Golgotha

Ilya Repin’s Golgotha, a powerfully realistic depiction of the crucifixion, captures intense emotion and solemnity with its detailed figures and symbolic elements. Explore this iconic masterpiece by the renowned Russian artist and bring home a timeless work of art.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20029 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of the Author Vladimir Korolemko.

1912 · Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow · original 75 x 64 cm

Admire Ilya Repin's 'Portrait of the Author Vladimir Korolenko' (1912). This oil on canvas captures the writer’s intellect & sophistication, a masterpiece from the Tretyakov Gallery.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$32864 × 75 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Pavel Tretyakov, Founder of the Tretyakov Gallery.

1883 · Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow · original 98 x 76 cm

Admire Ilya Repin's 'Portrait of Pavel Tretyakov,' a captivating depiction of the art collector who founded Moscow’s renowned Tretyakov Gallery. Witness his thoughtful gaze and masterful brushstrokes in this iconic 1883 masterpiece.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20029 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$41776 × 98 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of the Composer Modest Musorgsky.

1881 · Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow · original 69 x 57 cm

Admire Ilya Repin's iconic 1881 portrait of Modest Mussorgsky! This masterpiece captures the composer’s brooding intensity with bold brushstrokes and vibrant colors. A stunning hand-painted reproduction available now.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20026 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$29957 × 69 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of the Artist Ilya Repin by Valentin Serov.

1901 · Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

A profound sense of introspection defines this 1901 watercolour portrait of Ilya Repin by Valentin Serov, capturing a masterful moment of Russian realism that you can bring into your own collection.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20031 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of Yuria Repina, the Artist's son.

1882 · Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow · original 110 x 55 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20022 × 45 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$37055 × 110 cm Commission at original size

Self-Portrait.

1887 · Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow · original 75 x 62 cm

Admire Ilya Repin's 'Self-Portrait,' a captivating 1887 oil painting revealing the artist’s confident gaze and masterful realism. A timeless masterpiece from the Tretyakov Gallery, now available as a stunning hand-painted reproduction.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20026 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$32362 × 75 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Dmitry Mendeleev

1885 · original 58 x 46 cm

Ilya Repin’s captivating Portrait of Dmitry Mendeleev showcases the renowned Russian realist painter's masterful depiction of a man with a book and scattered volumes, reflecting 1885’s intellectual atmosphere. Discover this iconic artwork and bring its timeless beauty into your space.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$25646 × 58 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of painter and sculptor Mikhail Osipovich Mikeshin.

1888 · Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow · original 108 x 87 cm

Admire Ilya Repin's 'Portrait of Mikhail Mikeshin,' a captivating oil painting showcasing the Russian artist’s skill and subject’s dignified presence. A detailed reproduction available now.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$48387 × 108 cm Commission at original size

Sadko

1876 · original 323 x 230 cm

Explore Repin’s ‘Sadko,’ a mesmerizing Romantic masterpiece! Dive into an underwater world of mermaids & mythic beauty. A luminous, symbolic painting by a Russian icon.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$35026 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of Nadezhda Repina, the Artist's Daughter.

1900 · Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow · original 94 x 67 cm

Admire Ilya Repin's masterful depiction of his daughter Nadezhda in 'Portrait of Nadezhda Repina,' a serene outdoor scene featuring vibrant colors and expressive brushstrokes – housed at Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20026 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$37967 × 94 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Nikolai Remizov

1917

Ilya Yefimovich Repin Realism Ivan Kramskoi Ivan Kramskoi Early Life and the Seeds of Realism Ilya Yefimovich Repin, a name that resonates with the very soul of Russian art, was born in 1844 in the humble Ukrainian town of Chuguev. His father, a former soldier who traded horses, and his mother, deeply rooted in local traditions, instilled in young Ilya a profound connection to the land and it

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20031 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Interior (etude).

1883 · Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow · original 14 x 23 cm

Experience the intimate realism of Repin's 1883 'Interior (etude),' capturing quiet domestic life with warm hues; bring this moment of Russian artistry home.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20038 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of Chuguev resident S.L. Lyubitskaya

1877

Experience the enigmatic gaze of Repin's 1877 Realism portrait; this captivating oil on canvas captures timeless Russian emotion—discover your masterpiece today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 672 artworks by Ilya Repin
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20028 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

Ilya Repin

1844 – 1930

Quick facts

Top-ranked workThe Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks to Sultan Mahmoud IV.
Top 3 worksThe Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks to Sultan Mahmoud IV., Rest. Portrait of Vera Repina, Artist's Wife., Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan on November 16, 1581.
Emotional tonereflective
Also known asIlja Jefimovitš Repin, Ilia Efimovich Repin, Ilja Jefimovitsj Repin, Ilya Yefimovich Repin, Ilja Jefimovič Rjepin
Art period19th Century
Copyright statusPublic domain
Color intensitybalanced, monochromatic
Movementsrealism

Biography

Early Life, Family and Training

Ilya Yefimovich Repin entered the world on August 5, 1844, in Chuguev, located within the Kharkov Governorate of the Russian Empire. His upbringing was shaped by the practicalities of a modest household; his father, Yefim Vasilyevich Repin, was a military settler who later worked as an itinerant merchant. This background provided a connection to the movement of people and the realities of provincial life that would later inform his perspective. His early years were defined by the quiet discipline of a small town, far from the formal academies that would eventually define his professional life.

The seeds of his technical skill were sown through a traditional apprenticeship. At the age of sixteen, he began the meticulous work of painting icons, learning the craft under the guidance of local icon painters. This period of training required a precise hand and an understanding of religious composition. It was a rigorous introduction to the visual language of his surroundings, teaching him to observe the nuances of form and light before he ever stepped foot in a major metropolitan center.

In 1863, driven by an ambition to refine his talent, he traveled to Saint Petersburg. He did not enter the Imperial Academy of Arts through the standard channels at first, but instead audited courses, absorbing the atmosphere and instruction of the institution. This period of self-directed study allowed him to bridge the gap between his provincial training and the formal academic standards of the capital. He was a man of persistence, navigating the transition from a student of religious imagery to a serious practitioner of secular art.

The Rise of a Realist Master

The transition from a student to a central figure in Russian art was marked by rapid academic success. After navigating the challenges of his early training, he secured his first prizes at the Imperial Academy of Arts in 1869 and 1871. These accolades signaled a shift toward a more direct engagement with the world around him. His growing reputation led to a significant commission from Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich for The Barge Haulers on the Volga, a work that would define his early career and establish his commitment to depicting the realities of labor.

Between 1873 and 1876, his perspective expanded through two years spent in Paris and Normandy. This period allowed him to observe the techniques of painting in the open air, which he would later integrate into his own approach to light and form. He did not merely replicate the styles he encountered; instead, he refined a method of capturing the human condition with a specific, unvarnished clarity. This period of travel provided the technical breadth necessary to move beyond simple representation into a more profound psychological realism.

By 1894, his influence had become institutionalized when he was appointed a professor of historical painting at the St. Petersburg Academy. He had moved from the periphery of the art world to its very center, teaching the next generation how to navigate the tension between academic tradition and the demand for social truth. His career had come full circle, from a student auditing classes to a master shaping the direction of national art.

Key Works and Masterpieces

Repin’s ascent was marked by a profound ability to translate the struggles of the common man into monumental visual narratives. In 1873, he produced Barge Haulers on the Volga, a work that captured the brutal physical toil of laborers dragging boats along the river. This painting moved beyond simple observation, offering a searing indictment of social injustice through the exhaustion and resolve of its subjects. It established him as a painter deeply attuned to the human condition and the socio-political tensions of his era.

His interest in the complexities of the Russian soul led him to explore both religious and historical themes with intense psychological depth. Between 1880 and 1883, he painted Religious Procession in Kursk Province, a nuanced study of faith and social hierarchy. This period also saw the development of Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks, a work created between 1880 and 1891 that captured a defiant spirit of resistance. His brushwork often balanced the joy of folk motifs with the darker, more heavy aspects of history.

The capacity for drama reached a peak in 1885 with Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan. This depiction of a moment of horrific violence and remorse remains one of his most striking explorations of power and guilt. Through these varied subjects, Repin moved from the grit of the riverbanks to the heavy shadows of the Kremlin, always maintaining a focus on the internal struggles of his figures.

Barge Haulers on the Volga (1873)
Religious Procession in Kursk Province (1880–1883)
Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks (1880–1891)
Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan (1885)

Technique and Artistic Style

Repin established himself as the foremost exponent of the Russian Realist style, a movement that sought to strip away academic idealization in favor of the unvarnished truth of contemporary life. His artistic language was defined by a profound sense of plasticity, a quality that allowed him to render the human form and its surroundings with a tangible, three-dimensional presence. This technical command enabled him to move beyond mere likeness, capturing the physical weight of a laborer or the subtle tension in a historical scene. He was a master of genre painting, finding profound meaning in the everyday activities of the common people and the complex social hierarchies of his era.

His approach was not static, however. During his time in France and Italy, he encountered the burgeoning Impressionist movement, and the influence of French plein-air techniques became evident in his later work. He began to integrate these observations into his rigorous realist foundation, utilizing light and brushwork to suggest atmosphere and movement rather than relying solely on rigid, polished finishes. This synthesis allowed him to depict the psychological depth of his subjects through a more fluid, observational lens. He used the human face as a landscape of emotion, often focusing on the internal struggles of his sitters.

Barge Haulers on the Volga (1873)
Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan (1885)
Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks (1880-91)

Later Years and Death

The final chapter of Repin’s life was marked by a quiet withdrawal from the turbulent currents of history. Following the February Revolution of 1917, he found himself increasingly disillusioned by the violence and terror unleashed by the Bolsheviks. This profound sense of unease prompted a retreat from the center of Russian life toward the more tranquil surroundings of his estate, Penates. Located in Kuokkala, Finland, this sanctuary provided a refuge from the political upheaval that had reshaped his homeland.

In this secluded setting, he continued to paint, finding a sense of peace away from the social transformations occurring in the cities. His focus shifted toward more personal and introspective subjects, often drawing from his immediate surroundings and the people closest to him. He remained active in his craft until his final days, maintaining a connection to the art that had defined his existence. He died on 29 September 1930 in Kuokkala. He is buried at The Penates.

Legacy and Enduring Influence

The influence of Ilya Yefimovich Repin extended far beyond the borders of the Russian Empire, reaching into the very foundations of modern painting. By defining the parameters of Russian realism, he established a visual language that would later inform the development of Socialist Realism. His ability to merge technical academic precision with a sharp social conscience allowed his work to function as a mirror to a changing society. This commitment to portraying the human condition with honesty ensured that his impact would be felt by generations of artists who followed in his footsteps.

His reputation was recognized on the international stage, far from the provincial towns of his youth. In 1900, he served as a jury member of the Paris World Fair, a position that reflected his standing among the global artistic elite. This recognition was further solidified when he was awarded the Legion of Honour, an honor that underscored his importance to the European art world. He moved between the rigorous traditions of the Academy and the evolving techniques of plein-air painting, leaving behind a body of work that bridged the gap between the old world and the new.

Barge Haulers on the Volga (1873)
Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan (1885)
Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks (1880-91)

Where to See the Works Today

The physical presence of Repin's oeuvre is scattered across several major institutions, reflecting the breadth of his influence. The Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow remains the most significant repository, housing 26 of his works. Within this collection, one can find his portrait of the composer Modest Musorgsky, dated 1881, alongside the portrait of Pavel Tretyakov from 1883. These pieces offer a direct encounter with the psychological depth he brought to his subjects.

Beyond Moscow, his canvases have traveled to various corners of Europe and the former Soviet territories. The Vitebsk Museum of Modern Art holds two of his works, while the Pushkin State Museum in Moscow preserves a single piece. In Prague, the National Gallery maintains one of his paintings, ensuring his visual language remains accessible to international audiences. These specific locations provide a fragmented but significant map of his artistic output.

Portrait of the Composer Modest Musorgsky (1881)
Portrait of Pavel Tretyakov (1883)
Portrait of Chuguev resident S.L. Lyubitskaya (1877)
Portrait of Yuria Repina, the Artist's son (1882)

Questions & Answers

How can I see every artwork made by Ilya Repin?

Every work by Ilya Repin on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.

Can I explore Ilya Repin's works by subject?

The Subject Atlas page maps Ilya Repin's artworks by subject.

Where are Ilya Repin's artworks grouped by keywords?

To find works by Ilya Repin on a specific theme, use the artist's By Keywords page, which groups the artworks by keyword.

By the OriginalUniqueArt.com Editorial Team Updated Oct. 14, 2026

Collector's quiz

In which town was Ilya Yefimovich Repin born?
At what age did Repin begin apprenticing as an icon painter?
Which movement did the artist Ivan Kramskoi lead, which Repin became associated with?
Which of these works is considered one of Repin's breakthrough masterpieces?
Where did Repin retreat to towards the end of his life?

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