Ilya Repin

17 Calendar

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Age: 73

Non-fiction

Project 1917 is a series of events that took place a hundred years ago as described by those involved. It is composed only of diaries, letters, memoirs, newspapers and other documents

Kuokkala, Petrograd, Russian Republic

15.01.18

I received an anonymous letter about the title of my picture “Slaves of Imperialism”. The postcard reads “I went to an exhibition of the Peredvizhniki yesterday and saw your “Slaves of Imperialism” and was amazed at the ridiculous title. You were a great artist in the past, and as an old man you are still making yourself heard. But why put on airs and indulge in such foolery in naming your picture? It makes one ashamed for “Repin” and for “Russian art” - is Russian art, now, too the puppet of the revolution? We are deeply troubled and saddened by your behaviour. It is like the rouge covering the pale face of the heroine in Kuprin’s “The Pit”. Time to hold your tongue, old man.”

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Korney Chukovsky

Kuokkala, Petrograd, Russian Republic

17.10.17

I called on RepinPainter, to ask what he wanted for the Buchanan portrait: 10,000 rubles or a golden plate. Repin (deathly pale, with the shadows of a dead man under his nose and eyes, yet still his ever-charming self): “You know, the plate is awfully nice, but I fear… I’m not worthy of it… It would be wasted on me… And how would I ever sell it? It’s hallmarked, it would be awkward”. See more

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Penaty, Solnechnoye, Petrograd, Russian Republic

14.10.17

I only now returned from St. Petersburg; I was at the Ambassador’s. What a pity that I did not know about his intention, and not abandoned him, and for all that have him stay at the workshop. See more

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Korney Chukovsky

Petrograd, Russian Republic

22.09.17

Dear Ilya Yefimovich, I have just received an assignment from the British ambassador to inform you, that early on Wednesday morning Sir George will visit the Penates. See more

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Age: 73