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

This is an illustration by Heorhiy Narbut for the book 'How mice buried the cat' and it’s fascinating how Narbut embraces a graphic approach that is rooted in the process of printmaking. Look at how each shape is delineated, each object and character outlined with precision, like a woodcut but with a delicate sense of tonal variation achieved through layering colour. The flat planes of colour – muted ochres, slate greys, and earthy reds – create a shallow space that pushes the scene right up against us. Consider the still life of the vase on the left, the patterning suggests a process of continuous observation, layering, and refinement, much like the intuitive gestures of a painter seeking to capture the shifting qualities of light and form. The tension between representation and abstraction is the key to unlock this image. Narbut's work reminds me of Aubrey Beardsley. Similar to how Beardsley embraced ambiguity and encouraged multiple interpretations, the image invites us to engage with the artwork on our own terms.