Portrait of Alexander S. Matveyev Ilya Repin (1844-1930)

Here we observe a portrait executed in watercolor and pencil on paper. The subject is a young boy, positioned in a three-quarter view that directs attention towards his face. He appears to be around ten or eleven years old, with short, neatly combed hair. His attire consists of a dark suit jacket over a light-colored shirt; the details of the clothing are rendered with swift, economical strokes.
The color palette is dominated by muted tones – browns, grays, and blacks – which contribute to a somber atmosphere. The background is indistinct, a wash of pale pinks and greens that lacks detail, serving primarily as a neutral space against which the boy’s figure stands out. Light falls predominantly from the left, illuminating his face and creating subtle shadows that define his features.
The boys expression is notable; he appears pensive or melancholic, with a slight downward turn to his mouth and a gaze directed downwards. This inward focus suggests introspection or perhaps a quiet sadness. The artist has captured not merely a likeness but also an emotional state.
A handwritten inscription in the upper right corner provides a date – 24 ноября 1881 (November 24, 1881) – and what appears to be a signature. This detail anchors the work within a specific historical context and adds a layer of intimacy, as if we are privy to a personal record.
The loose brushwork and visible pencil lines suggest an unfinished quality, characteristic of studies or preliminary sketches. The lack of meticulous detailing lends a sense of immediacy and spontaneity to the portrait. It is not intended as a formal representation but rather as a fleeting impression of a young boy at a particular moment in time. The overall effect is one of quiet dignity tinged with a subtle undercurrent of melancholy, hinting at an individual’s inner world.