What's going on in this painting by Ilya Repin? Anna Popova Sep 02 2026 Culture

https://www.gw2ru.com/arts/255545-seeing-off-the-recruit-repin-painting-explained It was purchased by Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich before it was even completed. In 1876, Ilya Repin returned from a six-year sabbatical trip through Europe. He spent an entire year in Paris. There, he met the family of famous entrepreneur and philanthropist Savva Mamontov, who invited him to stay at his estate in Abramtsevo, near Moscow. At the time, Repin was deeply interested in peasant life and sought suitable subjects for his works. He was inspired by his observations of local villagers and the events of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878.