Sketches of scenery for Sadko by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov 1914

This pair of sketches by Ivan Bilibin, created in 1914, were created as set designs for the sixth scene of the opera "Sadko" by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. The first sketch depicts a fantastical underwater kingdom, complete with sea-life, a coral reef, and an ornate, seemingly underwater palace. The second sketch depicts a nighttime forest scene with a sliver of moon visible in the sky and a lake in the distance. This scene's beauty and detail is typical of Bilibin's artistic style, known for its whimsical and slightly stylized depiction of Russian folklore. The use of lush greens, blues, and golds evoke the magical and mystical nature of the "Sadko" opera.