Illustration to Aleksander Blok's poem 'The Twelve' 1918

Editor: Here we have Jury Annenkov’s 1918 ink drawing, an illustration for Aleksander Blok's poem ‘The Twelve.’ It feels…chaotic, almost anxious, with the harsh lines and the figure looking so world-weary. How do you interpret this work, especially considering its historical context? Curator: The key is indeed its historical context. Annenkov created this during the Russian Revolution, and Blok's poem itself is a deeply ambivalent reflection on the revolution and its discontents. Look at how Annenkov uses line – it's fractured, angular. The figure embodies the anxieties and disruptions of a society undergoing radical upheaval. It also raises questions around who gets to be centered during revolution, as this depiction feels deeply personal even amidst broader chaos. Editor: So the rough style reflects the turbulent times? Is that what you mean? Curator: Precisely. And think about *who* "The Twelve" were in Blok's poem: revolutionary soldiers, figures of both destruction and potential creation. Annenkov’s illustration isn’t just depicting a person; it's visualizing a moment of immense social and political transformation, and the individuals caught within it. Notice too, the tension in the gaze – is it defiance, or resignation? What does that suggest to you about the artist's, and perhaps even the poem's, own perspective on the revolution? Editor: It’s like the figure is burdened by the weight of history. I never considered how much the style could contribute to that feeling. Curator: Absolutely. Art like this compels us to examine not just what we see, but also how power, identity, and history intersect and inform the visual language itself. Editor: This really sheds a different light on the artwork for me. Now I can see how expressionism can depict revolutionary themes. Thanks so much!