Costume design for the Opera "Prince Igor" by Alexander Borodin 1930

Ivan Bilibin made this costume design for the Opera "Prince Igor" by Alexander Borodin, and it feels like a dance of history and imagination done with watercolor and ink. The design is flat but so evocative. Check out the warrior's shield; it’s got these amazing heraldic symbols, each circle like a little window into a mythical world. Look at the way Bilibin uses line – it’s crisp and precise, yet the colors are soft, almost dreamlike. It's amazing how the lines and shapes come together to form a cohesive image that captures both the grandeur and the intimacy of the opera. It makes me think of Sonia Delaunay’s textile designs, with her bold use of color and geometric shapes, but Bilibin’s got this added layer of folklore and narrative. It’s not just about what looks good, but about telling a story through color and form. Art isn’t just about seeing; it’s about feeling, imagining, and connecting.