TSAREVNA SOFIA ALEXEIEVNA AT THE NOVODEVICHY CONVENT, 1879 (oil on canvas)

1879//Oil on canvas This painting represents a dramatic episode in Russian history in the 17th century: Sofia Alexeyevna imprisoned at the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow by her half-brother Tsar Peter the Great, following a final attempt at insurrection. The execution of his followers is only suggested by the shadow behind the window. Now deprived of any means of action, the tsarina is represented in her cell, in great fury. If Répine undertook a long documentary work on ancient architecture, furniture, costumes, weapons and accessories in order to be as close as possible to historical reality, it was also for him to describe a moment when emotions played a central role.