Georgy Adamovich Stronk was a painter, graphic artist and illustrator. He was born in 1910. He studied at the Leningrad Institute of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture under the guidance of Isaak Izrailevich Brodsky. The artist began exhibiting his works in the genres of portrait, landscape and thematic painting in 1939.

In 1949, on the occasion of the centennial anniversary of the publication of Elias Lönnrot’s full version of the “Kalevala”, Stronk took part in a nationwide competition of illustrations for the epic poem. His illustrations were highly regarded, earning him the second prize in the competition. No first prize was awarded.

Georgy Stronk devoted many decades to his work on this poem, illustrating it with great inspiration. The artist first arrived in Karelia in 1935, as part of a folklore expedition, and was immediately captivated by the beauty and majesty of the northern landscape. The image on display created by Stronk shows the young and combative Youkahainen.

While working on his Kalevala illustrations, Georgy Stronk did not get carried away by the fantastical and mythical elements of the runes. Instead, he focused on the character and psychological traits of the main heroes. In his portrayal of Youkahainen, the artist presents him as a young man with an air of arrogance, who is sneaky and incapable of truly heroic deeds.

The wise old Wainamoinen uses magic a lot, expanding his knowledge by learning new spells. The actions of Wainamoinen bring him fame. The young wizard Youkahainen decides to challenge him and, waiting in ambush on a narrow path, challenges him to a duel. This is not a physical confrontation between two Kalevala heroes of different generations, but rather a battle of rune singers that tests their ability to sing and demonstrates their wisdom.

The duel demonstrates the power of magical singing. Furious, Wainamoinen pursues Youkahainen into a swamp using magical spells. Realizing that he cannot escape, he begs for mercy and offers to pay a ransom. Youkahainen tenders a bow, a boat, a horse, gold and silver, haystacks and fields, and finally, his own sister Aino. Wainamoinen rejects the material offerings and agrees to spare Youkahainen’s life only if he marries his young sister, Aino.