The Student (Yaroshenko)

The Student (Студент) is a 1881   painting by Russian realist artist Nikolai Yaroshenko. Currently in the collection and on display in the permanent exhibition of the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. According to some art critics, the painting The Student is one of the pinnacles of creativity of the artist himself.

History
According to the unanimous opinion of Soviet and modern Russian art critics, the painting depicts a representative of the progressive youth of the various stages of the liberation movement in Russia (in the interpretation of various researchers, a nihilist or populist). At various times, art critics looked for a correspondence to this image in Russian realistic literature of the 19th century and its reflection in Russian classical theater. It is believed that the prototype for the image of the student was a little-known Ukrainian artist, and former icon painter, Pylyp Chyrko. For some art critics, it gave rise to associations with Rodion Raskolnikov from Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment.

Historians of Russian art of the 19th century, in their works, analyzed in detail the appearance of the hero of the picture and the spiritual qualities that Nikolai Yaroshenko endowed him with, the color scheme of the canvas, and its background. Over time, the moral assessment of the character has changed.

Currently, the painting The Student is in the collection and is on display in the permanent exhibition of the State Tretyakov Gallery in room No. 24 (inventory number 689).