Father Frost and the step-daughter 

Ivan Bilibin created this illustration for the Russian folk tale “Father Frost and the Stepdaughter” in 1932. The narrative is steeped in the cultural and social mores of its time, touching on themes of family, virtue, and the treatment of women. The artwork presents us with more than just a scene from a fairy tale; it’s a glimpse into the power dynamics within a family and the societal expectations placed on women. The stepdaughter, often a symbol of innocence and perseverance, sits passively in the snow, a stark contrast to the patriarchal figure of Father Frost who holds the power to determine her fate. Bilibin renders Father Frost with a sense of imposing grandeur. This piece invites us to reflect on how fairy tales perpetuate certain values and norms. It subtly questions the roles assigned to women and the consequences of conforming to or deviating from those expectations.