The artwork entitled “Cake-city” was created by artist Ivan Bilibin in the year 1912. It is a poster that belongs to the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement, which was known for its intricate and stylized designs, particularly featuring natural forms and structures.
In the artwork, the viewer is presented with a fantastical and whimsical composition that resembles a multi-tiered cake constructed as a city. The topmost layer of the cake is adorned with a single large garnish resembling a flower or a fruit. This capstone is seated upon a layer elaborately decorated with patterns and flanked by apples on its plateau-like surface. Below, a wider layer features similar stylization, with windows dotting its facade, which gives it the appearance of an edifice. The base of the cake-city comprises several cylindrical shapes, possibly representing towers or turrets, decorated with crosses and dots, and interspersed with apples. These elements are placed on a contrasting darker ground, highlighting them against the backdrop.
The overall color palette of the artwork is vibrant, with reds, greens, and earth tones that punctuate the imaginative architecture with a playful yet detailed aesthetic. Surrounding the central motif is a border featuring cloud-like patterns above and a foliate design below, framing the artwork in a manner consistent with Art Nouveau sensibilities. Text is incorporated within this border at the top and bottom, suggesting that the poster may have been designed for an event or advertisement. The Cyrillic script provides context, though its specifics may not be immediately clear to those unfamiliar with the language.
