Illustration for the book 'How mice buried the cat' by Zhukovsky 1910

This illustration, made by Heorhiy Narbut, accompanies the book 'How mice buried the cat' by Zhukovsky. The whole image feels like a fable, doesn't it? Narbut uses a limited color palette, mostly earth tones with pops of red, which gives it a slightly retro feel. I love the way the artist outlines everything with such precision, it almost feels like a print, like it was made using stencils or stamps. Look at the mice, dressed in these elaborate costumes, with their jaunty hats and spindly legs. And then there's the landscape behind them, like a stage set, with fluffy clouds and a distant castle. Everything is so carefully placed, so deliberate. Notice the little details, like the way the mice hold their walking sticks, or the expression on their faces. It’s playful, but also kind of melancholic. It reminds me a bit of Edward Gorey, or maybe even some of the early Surrealists. It's like a dream, a bit absurd, but also strangely compelling.