The famous Russian painter Ilya Repin during his life wrote many wonderful portraits. But the portrait of Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky occupies a special place in the artist’s work, since this is the only portrait of the composer made during his lifetime. The work was written in the last days of the composer’s life.
From the picture a sick man looks at us, who has a premonition of his imminent demise. Careless beard and mustache, ruffled hair can not overshadow the composer’s heartfelt glance. In this look, sadness, despair and unwillingness to part with life are immediately apparent. But at the same time we see the eyes of an energetic and courageous innovator, author of brilliant works.
At first sight of the viewer, the background of the portrait may seem empty. But his sky blue tones create the illusion of clouds and the unreality of what is happening. Background optimism contrasts with the look of a hospital gown. The artist and the composer realize that the great musician will not leave these walls, but he will remain to live in his works…
Portrait of the composer and chemist Alexander Borodin Porfirievich by Ilya Repin 
Portrait of Anton Grigorievich Rubenstein by Ilya Repin 
Portrait du compositeur MP Mussorgsky – Ilya Repin 
Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka in the period of composing the opera Ruslan and Lyudmila by Ilya Repin 
Retrato del compositor M. P. Mussorgsky – Ilya Repin 
Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov by Ilya Repin 
Rest by Ilya Repin 
Afanasy Fet by Ilya Repin