“Olive Trees,” crafted by Ivan Bilibin in 1929, belongs to the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement and falls within the landscape genre. The artwork encapsulates the essence of the early 20th-century Modern art style, marked by its decorative elegance and attention to natural forms.
The artwork portrays an idyllic rural setting where robust olive trees dominate the scenery, spreading their gnarled branches across the canvas. Their dense, verdant foliage creates a canopy of shadow and light, suggesting a tranquil, sun-dappled afternoon. In the foreground, a well is depicted, constructed from sturdy wooden logs, indicating its utilitarian purpose within the pastoral landscape. Grass and unpaved paths meander through the scene, inviting the viewer’s eye deeper into the composition. The muted palette employed by Bilibin enhances the serene and timeless quality of the scene, capturing the harmony between human structures and the natural environment.
