7215390 OCTOBER 17 1905, 1907-1911 (oil on canvas) by Repin, Ilya Efimovich (1844-1930); State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia; (add.info.: 1907, reworked in 1911 Oil on canvas The promulgation of the manifesto drawn up by Serguei Witte at the request of Emperor Nicholas II took place on October 17, 1905. This text laid the foundations of the first Russian Constitution, on democratic principles. In his official description, Repin indicated that the painting represented the liberation of progressive Russian society in October 1905. In the crowd are students, teachers, workers, singing and waving red flags. In the center, they carry an amnesty on their shoulders. In her letters, Repine openly expresses her enthusiasm, rejoicing at this freedom snatched away. The painting was exhibited in Rome in 1911 during the Universal Exhibition.); Photo by Sylvain Collet.