Ivan Bilibin – Master Illustrator of Russian Folklore and Mythology

Ivan Yakovlevich Bilibin (Russian: Ива́н Я́ковлевич Били́бин,1876 – 1942) was a Russian graphic artist and stage/costume designer most famous today for his stylised take on Russian and Slavic folklore. Born in Tarkhovka (near St Petersburg) Bilibin showed much artistic promise as a youngster and went on to study in both Munich and St Petersburg under the tutorage of Anton Ažbe and Ilya Repin respectively. While studying under Repin, he was commissioned by the (then tsarist) Department for the Production of State Documents to illustrate a series of Russian Folk Stories. These would be published in six large format paperback volumes, bringing him praise and recognition from the newly formed ‘World of Art’ group (Mir Istkusstva). Commissions for that circle were to follow, allowing Bilbin to cement his path to a career as an Illustrator. Also of importance during his early career are the two years Bilbin spent travelling the Russian north exploring his love for old wooden arch