Bird Alkonost 1905

Ivan Bilibin made this graphic illustration, Bird Alkonost, which brings together decorative patterning and flat planes of color. Can you imagine him at his desk, carefully outlining the figure of the bird-woman? The Alkonost, a mythological creature with the body of a bird and the face of a woman, is depicted here in rich reds, blues, and golds, holding a scroll and standing amidst stylized flowers. The patterning of the feathers and the decorative elements of her clothing are so captivating. I wonder what Bilibin was thinking about when he made this? Was he concerned with historical themes and folk traditions, like other Russian artists? I think about other illustrators and graphic artists of the period, Aubrey Beardsley comes to mind, who also drew on historical and mythological subjects. Artists, no matter when they were working, are always in conversation with one another. The way they depict the figure, the lines they use, and the stories they tell, build on what came before.