Repin first learned icon painting before being accepted into the Academy of Arts in St Peters- burg, where he studied from 1864 to 1871. Thanks to his talent he travelled widely. Receipt of a grant enabled him to travel to Vienna, Rome, Venice and Paris. He returned to Russia in 1876. In 1878 he joined the Society for Travelling Art Exhibits known as the Peredvizhniki, or Itinerants. At the time Repin arrived in Moscow these artists were protesting against academic formalism. Repin lived in Moscow to 1881 and later in St Petersburg, where he taught as a professor during the years 1893−1907. After 1900 he moved to Finland, the home country of his second wife. Repin is regarded as one of the most important artists of the 19th century. He approached painting in the spirit of critical realism. Many of his works depict the history and portraits of outstanding personalities of his day. Thanks to Repin Russian art began to be recognised in the western world. His socially critical painting the Barge Haulers on the Volga (1870−1871) was particularly acclaimed. Repin also authored several theoretical articles in which he took issue with contemporary art. In the 1920s a cult was gradually constructed out of his realistic art and he was regarded as an exemplar of social realism.