Портрет Александры Молас

1877–1882

Savva Mamontov’s circle at Abramtsevo

In Moscow Repin frequented the art circle of Savva Mamontov at his estate Abramtsevo near Moscow, where he met many of the leading painters of the day — Vasily Polenov, Valentin Serov, Mikhail Vrubel.

1881

Proceeds from the portrait go to a monument for Mussorgsky

After Mussorgsky’s death Repin used the money from the sale of his portrait to erect a monument to the composer.

autumn 1882

Vozvrashcheniye v Peterburg

38-летний художник вернулся из Москвы с набросками «Запорожцев», «Ареста пропагандиста», «Ивана Грозного» и сотнями этюдов.

1883

“Religious Procession in Kursk Province” at the exhibition

Repin worked for three years on the picture, which he first called “The Wonder-Working Icon”, gathering material in Kursk province, Kiev and Chernigov; it contains at least seventy figures with clear characters. Novoye Vremya saw in it not an impartial image of Russian reality but only an exposure of the artist’s views, whereas Igor Grabar later held that it established Repin’s reputation as Russia’s foremost artist.

1883

Travels in Western Europe with Stasov; the Communards’ wall

In 1883 Repin travelled around Western Europe with Vladimir Stasov; the same year he painted “The Wall of Père Lachaise Cemetery Commemorating the Paris Commune”.