Sketches of scenery for Aleksey Verstovsky's Askold's Grave, Mikhail Glinka's Ruslan and Ludmilla, Sadko by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov 1912

This set of sketches by Ivan Bilibin, a prominent Russian artist, were created in 1912 as designs for stage sets of three popular Russian operas. “Dawn on the Banks of the Dnieper” is a sketch for Aleksey Verstovsky's “Askold's Grave,” while “Gardens of Chernomor” is for Mikhail Glinka's “Ruslan and Lyudmila,” and "Night on the Shore of Ilmen Lake" is for Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "Sadko." All three designs feature a picturesque blend of realism and fantasy, with sweeping landscapes and fantastical elements that evoke the spirit of Russian folklore. Bilibin’s use of vibrant colors and detailed depictions of nature create a captivating visual experience that transports viewers to the magical world of these operas.