Viktor Vasnetsov painted many subjects from folklore. “Sirin i Alkonost, Ptitsy Radosti i Pechali” (“Sirin and Alkonost, Birds of Joy and Sorrow”) depicts the Russian version of the Siren alongside an anthropomorphized kingfisher.
Fun fact: “Alkonost,” “Alcyone” (a mythical character and star), and “halcyon” all come from “halkyon,” the Ancient Greek word for “kingfisher.” In the folklore of many countries, kingfishers build their nests on a patch of water that is magically calmed by their song.
