In early March, 1881, Ilya Repin painted a portrait of his
friend, the composer Modest Mussorgsky. Mussorgsky was 42 years
old. He had already written his immortal compositions, such as
Night on Bald Mountain and Pictures at an Exhibition. But now
his creative work was over. He had been drinking heavily and was
subject to fits of madness. Hanging out all day in a tavern with
other composers and writers, he eventually he lost his
government job. He told his friends "there was nothing left but
begging." That was where Repin found him. The portrait took four
sessions. There was a soft light from the tall hospital windows,
but the room was cramped, and the artist was forced to balance
the painting on a small table. Repin captured his tousled hair,
his red nose, and his bleary eyes. But even in the deep decline,
the eyes are full of fire. There was one more sitting scheduled
two weeks later. When Repin came to the hospital one last time
at the appointed hour, Mussorgsky was not among the living.
Despite strict ord