The subject of Sadko is from a bylina—an oral epic poem—recorded in north-western Russia. The merchant and musician Sadko has been brought to the realm of the Sea Tsarto give a performance. After the Sea Tsar has danced to his music—causing a devastating storm in the process—Sadko is asked to choose one of the tsar's mermaid daughters to take as his wife. Following the advice of a saint, Sadko refuses three times three hundred daughters before accepting the last one, Chernavushka. Repin painted Sadko to the right, overlooking a procession of half-human, half-aquatic women who pass by; the rejected mermaids at the front look disappointed. Chernavushka appears behind everybody else and glances toward the man. The image composition is made with a worm's-eye view and a high horizon.

Coloured pencil drawing inspired by one of the Prada campaigns.

Let me know if you can't see the image. It won't appear in the thumbnail on connect app (?) :/

(Sorry for canning the previous post, I couldn't find high quality versions. I'll look for more later.)