Ivan Jakovljevič Bilibin is one of the most famous Russian graphic artists of the early 20th century. He is remembered for his beautiful illustrations of fairy tales and stories, showcasing the magical world of Russian folklore.
He was born in 1876 in Tarkhov, near St. Petersburg. Although he studied law and graduated from the University of St. Petersburg in 1900, his true passion was drawing. Towards the end of his studies, he enrolled in an art school and later an academy. Even as a student, he joined the newly formed artistic association and movement called “World of Art,” which published a magazine of the same name and organized exhibitions. They advocated for the revival of Russian art and sought inspiration from Russian folk art and landscapes. Bilibin was fascinated by the vast expanses of the Russian North, ancient Russia, Slavic mythology, folk tales, and fairy tales.
His works, which uniquely connect the traditional and the modern, were noticed in the Ministry of State Documents.
He was offered to illustrate a series of fairy tales between 1901 and 1903. His illustrations are vivid, with plenty of details and colors. As a graphic artist, he excellently utilized the power of lines, and he preferred clear and bright tones. He was guided by a strong sense of space and historical era, with forests and mountains being dominant in his works. His earlier works were particularly rich in decorative elements of Russian folklore and motifs from traditional art, which he often used to frame his pictures.
In addition to illustrating fairy tales, he also painted book and magazine covers, and he worked on scenography and costume designs for opera.
After the revolution in 1917, he moved to Crimea, then to Egypt, and in 1925 to Paris. He collaborated again with the Mir Iskusstva group, and as a screenwriter and costume designer, he helped stage many Russian ballets and operas in Paris and other European cities.
He returned to Russia in 1936 and continued his work as an illustrator, scenographer, and costume designer. He passed away in February 1942 during the Nazi occupation of Crimea. The siege of Leningrad (St. Petersburg).