Ivan the Terrible and His Son, Ivan

Ilya Repin's most famous work! A historical painting about the many hues of regret. Ivan the Terrible, Czar of Russia, embraces his dying son, whom he has just beaten in a fit of rage. Notice that the most vivid color in the painting is the red in the blood coming from the younger Ivan's temple underneath the older's hand. Notice also the nature of the embrace: desperate, strained, lacking in positive feeling. The older's face is a picture of horror and regret. The younger's is fading under the veil of death, but frozen in agony, surprise, and sorrow in a downward stare.