My Excitements

Ilia Repin was a brilliant portraitist and "a painter of the Russian soul." He lived during a time of great changes in Russian history — from the abolition of serfdom to the rise of the Bolsheviks. These events undoubtedly influenced his work, as the realist artist sought to reflect the individual character of the era in his paintings. “My Excitements” is a collection of autobiographical essays about how the boy Repin's attraction to art was first awakened, under what influence and in what environment he learned his craft in the province and at the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, and how he created the paintings that brought him nationwide fame. The book also features articles by the artist about famous figures of Russian literature and art. Thanks to Repin's skillful dialogue, his contemporaries, friends, and colleagues appear before us as if alive. The edition is supplemented with original sketches and paintings by the artist.