The collection of the Military Medical Museum contains a study ‘Arrival of Nikolay Ivanovich Pirogov to Moscow for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of his scientific activities’ by the Russian painter Ilya Repin.

In May 1881, the Imperial Moscow University was making preparations to celebrate the half-century anniversary of the scientific activities of the outstanding surgeon Nikolay Pirogov. The scientist was invited to visit his alma mater, and he agreed. The ceremonial reception and special lectures were planned for the third week of the month. Representatives of many Russian hospitals, inpatient facilities, scientific and pedagogical institutions and organizations came to Moscow to greet Nikolay Pirogov.

Ilya Repin, who was working at that time in Moscow and the Moscow region, found out about the celebration of the anniversary and the arrival of Pirogov. He was interested in Russian medicine in general, and particularly in Pirogov’s works, so he wanted to meet with the “ grand old man ” and make his portrait. On May 20, 1881, Repin sent a letter from his dacha (country house) in Khotkovo to his friend, critic and art expert Vladimir Stasov:

On May 22, 1881, at 1 p.m., the train arrived at the Kursky railway station with Nikolay Pirogov and his wife Alexandra von Bistrom on board. The scientist was greeted by the crowd, according to witnesses, people shouted: ‘Long live the patriarch of Russian surgery! ’, ‘Glory to the Russian luminary Pirogov! ’ Ilya Repin was also among the greeters. He brought a sketchbook and pencils with him and sketched the joyous event. A few years later, in 1887– 1888, this drawing became a study.

Art experts believe that Repin depicted himself on this study. According to one theory, the painter stands in a wide-brimmed hat with his back to the viewer and applauds, he has a sketchbook in his pocket. According to another theory, Repin is in a white dicky, turning his head towards Pirogov, standing at the left edge of the picture.
Repin did not miss a single anniversary meeting at Moscow University. With the help of the philanthropist Pavel Tretyakov and Professor Nikolay Sklifosovsky, Repin managed to make an appointment with Pirogov for three posing sessions. The work resulted in a portrait of the scientist and a bust, a bronze copy of which is housed in the Military Medical Museum.