Illustration for the poem 'Ruslan and Lyudmila' by Alexander Pushkin 1917

Editor: So, this drawing is Ivan Bilibin’s illustration for Alexander Pushkin's poem "Ruslan and Lyudmila," created in 1917. The incredible detail makes me think of an adult coloring book, but one with this unsettling, mythical vibe. The scale is skewed with that massive head. What’s your take on it? Curator: It's a journey into folklore, isn't it? I always feel Bilibin manages to evoke a certain fantastical atmosphere. He grounds it in this meticulously researched, historical detail, like the warrior's armour which contrasts beautifully against the fairytale weirdness. Editor: Right! That giant head... is that, like, the main antagonist? Curator: Perhaps. What’s captivating to me is Bilibin’s conscious choice to reference medieval Russian culture. It’s more than just illustrating a poem; he's constructing a whole visual language that speaks to Russian identity and tradition. Look at the flowing lines of the beard, or the peacock feathers swirling behind it. Does it feel at all familiar? Editor: I see a little bit of Art Nouveau in those flowing lines? Curator: Precisely! A delightful collision between international style and Russian soul. How fascinating is that? And then the skulls scattered about at the bottom, they add this very sinister edge to the otherwise playful fairytale world. Editor: It's darker than I initially thought! Bilibin makes it hard to know whether to laugh or be frightened. Curator: Isn't that what makes good art memorable? This piece teaches us that you can ground something in its historical past whilst building entirely fantastical worlds and it really makes one ponder!