#bylina

"Sadko in the Underwater Kingdom," Ilya Repin, 1876

This painting was commissioned by Alexander III, and it is based on a "bylina," which is a type of Russian epic poem; the genre is very, very old (going back to the 12th century.) The painting depicts one of the "scenes" of the "bylina", where the merchant and musician Sadko, must choose one of the daughters of the "Underwater King" to marry (there is a lot more to the story.)

Rimsky-Korsakoff went on to write an opera based on the tale, which is beloved in Russia. Ilya Repin was invited to join the Russian Academy of Arts because of this work.

You had one job

Sadko and the Underwater Kingdom, 1876, by Ilya Repin (1844-1930)

Russian artist Ilya Repin has brought to life a scene from the Slavic poem Bylina in this work. In part of the narrative, the adventurer Sadko disrespects the Sea Tsar, the ruler of an underwater kingdom. His crew attempt to appease the Tsar by throwing gold into the waters, yet it does not work. Sadko is instead forced to enter the waters himself, where he plays music for the underwater ruler and is offered a bride in return.

This fantastical scene in particular depicts Sadko gazing at the sea maidens. He eventually takes a Chernava as his bride, one of the last 900 mermaids in the kingdom.