Apples and leaves Ilya Repin (1844-1930)

Description of Ilya Repin’s painting "Apples and Leaves".

When this picture was painted, Ilya Repin was at the height of his creativity, he was creating one masterpiece after another, he had an honorarium, he had a fine family, together with whom he moved to the capital, here he united with the most prominent artists of Russia, who met him and his work quite benignly, he exhibited with a cycle of masterfully painted portraits, sold his works for good money for those times, acquired new friends in Moscow.

Of course, all these circumstances could not but affect the mood of the artist, and he created such an unusual work for himself as "Apples and Leaves".

Why unusual? Because Ilya Efimovich is a virtuoso of historical and mythological subjects, portraits, psychological and emotional paintings. Still-life was not peculiar to this artist.

But, as you know, a talented person is talented in everything. And so the image of ordinary apples lying on the drying leaves of various plants, he managed inimitably. Small and large leaves, solid and patterned edges, single, paired and triple, - all made in green, and this is a wonderful background for ripe apples. Generally speaking, with Repin everything is perfect here: the dark background turns into a brownish surface on which both the leaves and the apples shine.

The apples look really alive and one can take them and taste or inhale the fragrance of an apple orchard with pleasure. This freshest aroma can be heard in the harmonious combination of leaves and matte apple tree fruits. The volume, the luster, the shape, the color, the indentations, the spots, all make the apples - as has been said - come alive.

Thus, a seemingly simple uncomplicated still life in the hands of the master acquires brightness and expressiveness, and the picture becomes a real work of art!