The artwork titled “Illustration for Alexander Pushkin’s ‘Fairytale of the Tsar Saltan'” was created by the distinguished artist Ivan Bilibin in the year 1905. Executed in the medium of lithography, this piece fits within the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement. The dimensions of the artwork are 21.8 x 31 cm. It belongs to the genre of illustration and is part of the “Fairytale of the Tsar Saltan” series, currently housed in the Pushkin Museum located in Moscow, Russia.
The illustration showcases a richly detailed scene that vividly brings to life a moment from Pushkin’s fairytale. The upper illustration depicts a grand banquet attended by a diverse array of figures, including a regal tsar at the head of the table adorned with elaborate garments and intricate patterns. The scene is filled with a sense of festivity and opulence, capturing the essence of the fairy tale. Below, a smaller vignette features a majestic swan, crowned and gracefully swimming before a backdrop of a fortified castle. The meticulous attention to decorative detail and the harmonious use of color exemplify Bilibin’s mastery in blending traditional Russian folklore with the stylistic elements of the Art Nouveau movement.
