Крестящийся крестьянин

1890

Meets Natalia Nordman

He met Natalia Nordman (1863–1914), the daughter of an admiral, a writer, feminist and campaigner for better working conditions who advocated a simple life close to nature; she became his common-law wife.

1891

Leaves the Wanderers

In 1891 he resigned from the Wanderers in protest against a new statute restricting the rights of young artists; he had already left the board in 1887, and he rejoined the society only in the late 1890s.

1894

Rukovoditel masterskoy Akademii khudozhestv

Профессор живописи вернулся в Академию педагогом. «Репин был плохим педагогом, но великим учителем» (Грабарь). Ученики: Малявин, Кустодиев, Билибин, Фешин, Остроумова-Лебедева.

1899

Buys land at Kuokkala and builds “Penaty”

In 1899 Repin bought land near the village of Kuokkala, forty kilometres north of St Petersburg, and with Natalia Nordman built the Penaty estate, which became his home for thirty years. At first it was only a summer house; after he left the Academy in 1907 it became his permanent home and studio.

1900–1930 · Residence

Repino

1905

The 1905 revolution: “the year of disaster and shame”

The repression of the popular demonstrations before the Winter Palace in 1905 disillusioned Repin: he called it “the year of disaster and shame”, took part in protests against bloodshed, made sketches of troops firing on a peaceful demonstration, and resigned his teaching post at the Academy to concentrate on painting.