Christ in the Wilderness
Ivan Kramskoi · 1872
Why it's great
A solitary figure sits on a rock at dawn, wrestling with a hard decision, as described in the Bible. Kramskoi painted Jesus as a tired, thoughtful man, not a glowing saint. The grey and blue colors set a quiet mood. It's regarded as one of the great Russian religious paintings.
Where to see it
📍 State Tretyakov GalleryMoscow, Russia
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Ivan Kramskoi was born in Ostrogozhsk, Russia, and worked in Saint Petersburg. He was a leader of the Wanderers, artists who rebelled against stuffy academic rules. He painted deeply felt portraits of writers, scholars and ordinary people. He also wrote and taught about art, and he inspired a generation of Russian painters.
