Ilya Repin was the most gifted of the group known in Russia as ldquo;The Itinerantsrdquo;. When only twelve years old; he joined Ivan Bounakovrsquo;s studio to learn the icon-painterrsquo;s craft. Religious representations always remained of great importance for him. From 1864 to 1873 Repin studied at the Academy of the Arts in Saint Petersburg under Kramskoiuml;. Repin also studied in Paris for two years; where he was strongly influenced by outdoor painting without; becoming an Impressionist; a style that he judged too distant from reality. Taken with French pictorial culture; he worked to understand its role in the evolution of contemporary art. Most of Repinrsquo;s powerful work deals with the social dilemmas of Russian life in the nineteenth century. He established his reputation in 1873 with the celebrated picture Barge Haulers on the Volga; symbol of the oppressed Russian people pulling their chains. This struggle against the autocracy inspired many works. He also painted Russiarsquo;s official history in such works as Ivan the Terrible Meditating at the Deathbed of his Son Ivan. Seen as one of the masters of realist painting; he devoted himself to portraying the lives of his contemporaries: the most renowned Russian writers; artists; and intellectuals; peasants at work; the faithful in procession; and revolutionaries on the barricades. He understood the pains of the people perfectly; as well as the needs and the joys of ordinary lives. Kramskoiuml; said on this subject: ldquo;Repin has a gift for showing the peasant as he is. I know many painters who show the moujik; and they do it well; but none can do so with as much talent as Repin.rdquo;Repinrsquo;s works; which depart from the academic constraints of their predecessors; are both delicate and powerful. He achieved a superior mastery of skill; and found new accents to transcribe the many-coloured and brilliant vibrations he sensed in the ordinary world around him.
#2447192 in eBooks 1993-12-01 1993-12-01File Name: B00J064SPI
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Inside the SpidersBy KitschedThis was an excellent inside view of what life was like during the early days of David Bowies career. It is a straightforward story of someone who was actually there. I particularly enjoyed his rare glimpses of Bowies humanity before Bowie was big. Woodmanseys own experience during this time frame with the music scene and what was occurring in England gives an interesting view of a drummers rise to the top. So glad he is still around to share his story.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great BookBy TorreyGetting to know the "making of" the Bowie phenomenon was particularly interesting. Also; understanding the life of a musician in the rock world before; during and after the big gig was fascinating.7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Thank You Woody!By MJBAwesome book from the last surviving Spider. Fantastic bw and color photos of the Spiders backstage; on stage; etc. Absolutely essential reading for Bowie fans. Woodys memoir is fascinating and soulful. A truly great book.
