The artwork, titled “Illustration for a poem ‘Walls of Cain’ by Vyacheslav Ivanov,” was created by Ivan Bilibin in the year 1906. This piece belongs to the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement and is classified within the genre of illustration.
In the artwork, Bilibin employs a distinct illustrative style, characteristic of his affinity for folkloric and medieval themes. The scene depicts a formidable stone wall with several cylindrical towers, hinting at a castle or fortress. The structure is rendered with heavy, dark outlines and interspersed with smaller stones and boulders, enhancing the texture and solidity of the edifice. The setting around the wall is rugged, with large rocks strewn across the foreground and a winding path leading towards an arched entrance in the wall. Overhead, stylized clouds float in the sky, framing the imposing structure below. The meticulous detail and bold line work are signatures of Bilibin’s artistic technique, evoking a sense of timelessness and mythical grandeur. The image bears the initials “И.Б.” along with the date “1906” on the lower right corner, serving as the artist’s signature.
