Repin’s profound sympathy for the revolutionary movement found expression in the picture Unexpected Return.
In what at first glance seems to be a genre scene, like those widespread in the art of the eighties, we see the home-coming of a long-suffering but not broken revolutionary.
However, Repin is able to impart the significance of an outstanding personality even to an ordinary individual, and to a routine scene the greatness of a historical event. The hero of the picture, unshaven, gaunt, with a mute question in his feverishly glinting eyes, has been away for a long time: his daughter has grown up and had time to forget him, perhaps she never saw her father.
The returning exile in the worn peasant overcoat seems to intrude into this measured, comfortable life, as if still clanking his chains. The hero of the picture, singled out by two streams of light – from the window and from the open door, is convinced of his righteousness of his views but he is but yet sure of his relatives’ attitude, of whether he is the source of suffering or pride. The reply to this mute question can be seen in the figure of his mother who rises to meet him. It conveys the unexpected joy which she can hardly believe, and the sorrows of the past, but, above all, pride.
The painting is executed in a soft, fine, amazingly authentic manner, the air and subdued sunlight filling the room are masterly conveyed.
Vyacheslav Ivanov.
The Russian Mind
1890.
Willful and avid mind,-
The Russian mind is dangerous as flame:
So unrestrainable, so clear,
A happy and a gloomy mind.
Like the steady hand of a compass
It sees the pole through swells and fog;
It leads the timid will
From distracted dreams to life.
Like an eagle gazing through the mist
To survey the valley's dust
It soberly contemplates the earth,
Floating in a mystic night.
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