Natalia Gonchorova played a vital role in the development of contemporary book illustration in Russia, with her first published work used as the cover for the 1910 Knave of Diamonds exhibition catalogue. The Images of War portfolio was created in 1914, a response to the outbreak of the First World War. She uses Russian icons and motifs throughout the series to create patriotic and powerful images. This print shows the double headed white eagle defeating the black eagle of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, one of Russia’s main opponents in the war.