Russian proverbs illustrated by Marina Rusanova

The sun will rise above our yard (A call for patience, hope). Russian proverbs illustrated by Marina Rusanova

Russian proverbs illustrated by Marina Rusanova. Contemporary artist Marina Rusanova is the author of lubok series illustrating Russian proverbs and sayings. Her beautiful drawings are derived from popular folk proverbs. Lubki (plural form of the word “lubok”) prints were previously used as decoration in houses and inns, then they were used in book printing. Such simple books mostly consisted of pictures, and were called lubok literature. Early examples of Lubok were dated back late 17th and early 18th centuries, originally they were painted woodcuts, from the mid-19th century they appeared in lithography. Lubki often appear in series, like this one, illustrated by Marina Rusanova Russian proverbs. Marina Rusanova was born in Moscow. She studied at the art school and worked as a graphic designer and an illustrator in different Moscow organizations. In 1981 she graduated from Moscow School of Textiles specializing in hand weaving and tapestry. Since 1982 Marina Rusanova has been participating in art exhibitions of the Moscow Union of Artists.

Sun in the summer to winter frost. This proverb is dedicated to the day of the winter solstice, which is coming to an end and there comes the longest night of the year

That is what the treasure, if the family has a harmony. (Harmony in family life is the most precious thing)

The early bird catches (gets) the worm. (The man who takes the earliest opportunity of doing his job will get the reward)

The house is a fine house when good folks are within (It is the hospitality of the hosts that makes the house attrac tive, but not its decor.)

The owl doesn’t see itself. The eye that sees all things sees not itself

There are several proverbs in this picture, all about a good wife. A good wife makes a good husband, good wife’s husband looks young, respect good wife

Want to eat fish but do not want to enter the water (People are eager to obtain something but they are unwill ing to do the required unpleasant job)

When you have a real friend, you should value his friendship and try not to lose it

Winter is not summer – wear hundreds of furcoats (this proverb reminds about keeping warm, especially in cold Russian winter)

Сome visit us, we’ll have a cup of tea at samovar

People are dancing, partying – seeing the winter off (Tradition of celebrating Shrovetide at Russia)

Put this bird – he told the tsar – onto the spoke, my golden cockerel will be your faithful watchman (‘The Tale of the Golden Cockerel’ by Alexander Pushkin)

Saw a starling – Spring at the porch. (Starling predicts early spring)

Skill will come with a lot of patience

A kind word is pleasant even for a cat (Soft words win hard hearts)

An egg is valuable to the Christ day (Easter) – (Valuable is the thing that is done, received on time, at the right time)

At our gates is always Khorovod (circle dance and chorus singing) – we are never bored here

Before us humans lived, not angels, and after us humans will live, not demons

betwixt and pecked, and then slipped (Neither here nor there, but what the hell)

Cat of Kazan, mind of Astrakhan, reason of Siberia, he lived sweet, ate sweet and farted sweet. Originally it was a satire of Peter the Great

Christmas happens once a year

Come more often – without you we are having fun (it’s not pleasant to have you as a guest)

Every fox prises its tail (Every cook praises his own broth)

Fish would sing a song, but God has not given the voice

for good things – good words. (after the work has been done you deserve deserve praise)

Golden bridge spreads to seven villages, seven miles away. (Children’s riddle about a rainbow)

Grain of an inflorescence – do not lie in the shade. Who lies in the shade in summer, in winter will be starving

Happiness is not a bird, it will not fly to you by itself (you should do something to be happy)

Harp has clear sound, but strings are subtle (empty promises and no deeds)

He began to call goldfish, fish floated to him and asked, ‘What do you want, old man’ (on ‘The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish’ by Alexander Pushkin)