In the Russian Empire, Belarusians are the most miserable and downtrodden people. Repin destroys this stereotype by creating a portrait of a Belarusian guy. Before us is a confident young man with a cautious, slightly shy smile on his face.
A caftan is tied up with a festive green sash, under a caftan you can see a pink shirt, clearly also intended for special occasions. Black, curly hair, blush on all cheeks, light mustache.
In the view of the hero there is so much naive curiosity, vital energy, fun that it becomes clear to the viewer – before him, without a doubt, a happy person. Good humor, daydreaming, cheerful disposition are the very qualities that destroy to the ground the stereotype about the downtroddenness of Belarusian peasants.
Related Paintings
