Underwater. Illustration for the epic "Volga" 1928

Ivan Bilibin's 1928 illustration "Underwater" for the epic poem "Volga" depicts a vibrant underwater scene. The artwork features a Viking ship sailing above a colorful ocean teeming with fish, including a large sturgeon with a jeweled crown and a pair of glowing eyes. Bilibin's distinct style, influenced by Russian folk art and Art Nouveau, combines detailed ornamentation and flat, stylized forms to create a fantastical and visually compelling narrative. The illustration showcases Bilibin's mastery in bringing Russian mythology and folklore to life through his art.