Illustration for the fable 'The Crow and the Fox' 1934

This is an illustration for the fable 'The Crow and the Fox' by Martiros Sarian, with delicate lines of brown ink on paper. I can imagine Sarian in his studio, his hand moving assuredly across the page to make this fable come alive. The tree is so ornamental, each leaf a decorative flourish. I think of Sarian's other work, his bold colours and expressive landscapes; here, he's working in a more restrained mode, but there’s still a lyricism, a feeling for the beauty of form, like the repeating curves of the tree’s foliage. Look at the fox, so desperate to reach that cheese, clinging to the tree as if it could somehow climb into the sky. And the crow, perched above, so composed, maybe a little smug! I think the success of this drawing lies in the expression of the characters, and also the story is so classic, so perfect for artists. I think every artist responds to it in their own way. It's a gentle reminder that artists are always conversing with each other, across generations. I can see Sarian having fun with it.