Skazka o t︠s︡ari︡e︡ Saltani︠e︡ Pl.12
1905
Step into a Russian fairy tale with this 1905 masterpiece by Ivan Bilibin, illustrating the grand finale of Pushkin's 'Tale of Tsar Saltan.' The caption at the bottom reads 'And the merry feast began,' showing the reunited royal family—Tsar Saltan, his wife, and their son Prince Gvidon—enjoying a banquet at the high table. Bilibin was famous for his unique style which mixed Art Nouveau elegance with traditional Russian folk art, featuring bold black outlines, flat colors, and incredibly detailed patterns on the carpets and clothes. Two giant guards with ceremonial axes frame the scene like bookends, while in the foreground, a guest sits on the floor seemingly charmed by a black-and-white cat, adding a cozy, domestic touch to this royal celebration.