A detailed graphite portrait of an Egyptian peasant, drawn by Ivan Bilibin in 1922 during his time in Cairo.

This portrait, titled Fellah, is a graphite study executed by Ivan Bilibin in 1922. During his period of exile from Russia, Bilibin spent time in Egypt, where he produced a series of sketches documenting the local population. The term fellah refers to a peasant or agricultural worker in the Middle East and North Africa.

Bilibin is widely recognised for his graphic work, particularly his illustrations for Russian fairy tales and his contributions to stage design. His training in the studio of Ilya Repin provided him with a rigorous foundation in academic drawing, which is evident in the precise modelling of this subject. The artist employs a delicate touch to render the textures of the man's beard and the folds of his headgear. The lighting is directed from the side, creating strong shadows that define the facial structure and convey a sense of gravity.

Unlike his more decorative, stylised work associated with the Mir Iskusstva group, this drawing demonstrates a shift towards observational realism. The composition is clean, focusing entirely on the profile of the sitter against a plain background. The artist's signature, rendered in Cyrillic initials, appears alongside the date on the right side of the sheet. This work offers a glimpse into Bilibin's artistic output during his years in Cairo, reflecting his technical versatility beyond the folk-inspired graphic style for which he is most known. The print captures the subtle gradations of the original graphite marks, preserving the clarity of the artist's hand.