Magazine "Russian Opera in Paris" 1930

Ivan Bilibin created this magazine cover for "Russian Opera in Paris" in 1930. The colours here are so controlled, it's like he’s laid down flat fields of tone before adding the details. He’s almost drawing with paint, outlining the forms and filling them in. Check out the horse’s tail, each strand is carefully rendered, giving a sense of texture and movement. These minute details build the whole image, creating a decorative effect. The red and gold colour palette adds to the opulence, evoking a sense of grandeur and tradition. This precise approach is reminiscent of Aubrey Beardsley’s illustrations, where line and pattern also take precedence over painterly gesture. It shows how artists can engage in an ongoing conversation through the ages, reinterpreting and reimagining established forms.