The Lions Share

Ivan the Terrible and his son Ivan on Friday, November 16, 1581.

Repin again, painting for keeps this time.

“In 1581, Ivan the Terrible beat his pregnant daughter-in-law for wearing immodest clothing, and this may have caused a miscarriage. His son, also named Ivan, upon learning of this, engaged in a heated argument with his father, which resulted in Ivan striking his son in the head with his pointed staff. The younger Ivan fell, barely conscious and with a bleeding wound on his temple. The elder Ivan immediately threw himself at his son, kissing his face and trying to stop the bleeding, whilst repeatedly crying, “May I be damned! I’ve killed my son! I’ve killed my son!” The younger Ivan briefly regained consciousness and said “I die as a devoted son and most humble servant.” For the next few days, the elder Ivan prayed incessantly for a miracle, but to no avail.”