Fragment of cover 1900

This cover fragment by Ivan Bilibin is made from ink and watercolor on paper. The material itself is quite modest, yet the effect is dazzling. The crisp lines and flat areas of color show the influence of both traditional Russian folk art, and the aesthetics of printmaking, particularly woodcuts, that were prevalent in the early 20th century. The sharp lines define the architectural details, and the dragon in the sky. Bilibin was deeply engaged in stage design, and his works often have a theatrical quality. In this image, the vibrant palette and meticulous execution combine to create a miniature stage-set. It is a testament to Bilibin's skill, that he could conjure such a richly detailed vision using relatively simple means. The paper becomes a window onto a fantastical world, where the boundary between the so-called ‘fine’ and ‘applied’ arts simply melts away.