Ilya Muromets 1887

Mikhail Nesterov created this pen and ink drawing of Ilya Muromets, a legendary bogatyr or knight, a hero from Kievan Rus' folklore. Pen and ink, at its core, is a humble and accessible medium, a combination of inexpensive materials, and yet in the hands of an artist it can be transformed into something complex and intricate, as seen here. The contrast of dark and light conveys the subject's strength, evoking a sense of time and place. The labor-intensive hatching and cross-hatching captures the weight and texture of the knight's armor, his shield, and the horse's mane. This careful application of ink suggests a meticulous process, reflecting the artist's dedication to craft. By focusing on the craft of drawing, Nesterov elevates the medium, and asks us to consider the value and importance of folk traditions and national identity during a period of political and social change in Russia.