A preparatory study for a church fresco by Ivan Bilibin, featuring the Resurrection of Christ in the artist's signature Russian Revival graphic style.

This work is a preparatory study for a fresco intended for the Church of the Assumption in Olshany. Ivan Bilibin, a central figure in the Russian Revival movement, drew heavily from traditional icon painting and folk art aesthetics to create this composition. The piece displays the characteristic graphic clarity and flattened perspective associated with his illustration work, adapted here for a monumental ecclesiastical setting.

The composition follows a semi-circular arch, typical of tympanum or lunette decorations. At the apex, the figure of Christ rises in a mandorla, surrounded by a host of figures that suggest the harrowing of hell or the resurrection narrative. Bilibin employs a structured, rhythmic arrangement of figures, using bold outlines and a controlled palette to define the various groups. The architectural elements at the base, framing the central void, reflect his interest in historical Russian building styles.

Bilibin’s approach to this religious subject avoids the heavy chiaroscuro of Western academic painting. Instead, he prioritises clear, decorative forms and symbolic colour. The figures are arranged in distinct tiers, creating a sense of order and hierarchy. The use of ink lines to delineate drapery and facial features provides a crispness that translates well from paper to wall. This study offers a view into the artist's process, showing how he synthesised medieval Russian visual traditions with the requirements of early twentieth-century decorative design. The work remains a clear example of his ability to adapt folk-inspired graphic techniques to large-scale religious commissions.