Why the Bear Has No Tail

In the 1880s, the artist, designer and illustrator Elena Polenova (1850-98) began illustrating fairy-tales that she noted down during her travels around Russian villages. Ten years later, shortly before her death, Polenova became acquainted with an English journalist called Netta Peacock, who translated several of the tales into English. The original illustrations Polenova created for this English edition which was never published and the accompanying translation are in a private collection that has only recently come to light. This publication, supported by the Polenovo museum-estate, draws on this hitherto untold chapter in Polenova s life, combining the creative talents of the Russian artist and English journalist. This beautifully crafted book is published to coincide with an exhibition in the UK of the artist s work in November 2014."