Illustration for Alexander Pushkin's 'Fairytale of the Tsar Saltan' 1905

This Illustration for Alexander Pushkin's 'Fairytale of the Tsar Saltan' was made in 1905 by Ivan Bilibin. The way the image is put together is really interesting; it's all about flat shapes and decorative patterns, kind of like a tapestry. The colors are muted, earthy, and warm, giving it this cozy, old-world feel. Look at how Bilibin handles the carpet, those repeated motifs create a rhythm, drawing your eye across the surface. You can almost feel the texture, even though it's just ink on paper. And then there's that cat, sitting so prim and proper next to the table, it adds a touch of whimsy and domesticity to the scene. It is as though he has paused the narrative to capture the characters when they are at their most comfortable and relaxed. Bilibin’s work reminds me of Aubrey Beardsley, in that both artists are fascinated by the possibilities of line and pattern making as an expressive means. But while Beardsley is all about decadent, theatrical stylization, Bilibin is interested in the aesthetics of folk art. It’s all about embracing the unexpected, and finding beauty in the simplest of forms.