Ivan Bilibin (1876-1942)

Ivan Bilibin was born 4 (16) in August 1876 in the village Tarkhovka ( near St. Petersburg ) , the son of a naval doctor Yakov Ivanovich Bilibin . In 1888 he entered the 1st St. Petersburg classical school and graduated with honors in 1896 In 1900, he graduated from the Faculty of St. Petersburg University. In 1895-1898 Mr. engaged in drawing school of the Society for Encouragement of Arts. In 1898, two months studied in the studio of the artist Aschbe in Munich. Few years (1898-1900) studied under Ilya Repin in school workshop of Princess Maria Tenishevoy then (1900-1904) under the leadership of Repin at the Higher Art School Academy of Arts.

Lived mainly in St. Petersburg. After the formation of artistic association " World of Art" becomes an active member. In 1899 Bilibin accidentally arrives in the village district Vesegonskogo Egny Tver province. Here he first creates illustrations which subsequently became " Bilibinskiy " style to his first book, "The Tale of Prince Ivan , The Firebird and Grey Wolf ." In 1902, 1903 and 1904 Bilibin visiting Vologda , Arkhangelsk and Olonets province, where his commander ethnographic department of the Museum of Alexander III of wooden architecture .

Bilibin artistic talent brightly showed in his illustrations to Russian fairy tales and legends , as well as in the works of theatrical productions . From 1899 to 1902 he produced a series of six "Tales " published Expedition of government securities , then the same publishing house issues Pushkin's fairy tales illustrated by Bilibin . In particular, there were " The Tale of Tsar Saltan" (1905) and " The Golden Cockerel " (1910 ) . In 1905 published an illustrated Bilibin epic " Volga ", and in 1911 - Roslavlev tales published by " public benefit ." Moreover, the " fairy tale " style with Old ornamental motifs decorated Bilibin refers staging of the opera " The Golden Cockerel " in 1909 in the theater Zimin in Moscow.

In the spirit of the French mysteries presented his " Miracle of St. . Theophilus " (1907), recreating the medieval religious drama , Spain XVII century inspired costumes for the drama of Lope de Vega " Sheep Well , " Calderon 's drama " Purgatory of St.. Patrick "- theatrical production " Ancient Theatre "in 1911 jokingly caricature of the same Spain emanates from vaudeville F. Sologub " Honor and Revenge " , delivered in 1909 Bilibin

Screensavers , endings , covers and other works Bilibin found in magazines such early XX century, as " World of Art ", " The Golden Fleece " in editions of " Briar " and " Moscow book publishing ." During the 1905 revolution , the artist creates a revolutionary cartoons . Since 1907 Bilibin teaches a class in graphic art school of the Society for Encouragement of Arts , continued teaching until 1917 Among his pupils at the school were GI Narbut , KS Eliseev , LY Hortik A. Rozileht (August Roosileht), NV Kuzmin , Renee O'Connell , KD Voronets -Popov .

In 1912 he married second marriage to the RR O'Connel . In 1912 a group of Moscow and St. Petersburg intellectuals buys a plot on the southern coast of Crimea in Batiliman of construction for cottages. Bilibin was one of the companions , the other shareholders were writers VG Korolenko , AI Kuprin , SY Elpat'evskii , EN Chirikov , the artist VD Derviz . Professor AF Ioffe , VI Vernadsky , MI Rostovtsev . By lot Bilibin went segment of land from the sea , which was already fishing lodge. To lodge was attached workshop. Thereafter annually after school OPH Bilibin went to Batiliman and returned to St. Petersburg in the autumn to the beginning of classes .

In 1915 he participated in the establishment of the Company's artistic revival of Russia , along with many other artists of his time. After the February Revolution Bilibin painted drawing double-headed eagle , which was used as the emblem of the Provisional Government , and since 1992, this Eagle is located on the coins of the Bank of Russia. [1] In 1917 Bilibin parted with his second wife, Renee O'Connell . After the October Revolution Bilibin went to the Crimea in Batiliman , where he still lives in September 1919 . Until December 1919 he was in Rostov- on-Don, then retreat with white army gets in Novorossiysk.

February 21, 1920 on the ship "Saratov" Bilibin sailed from Novorossiysk . Because of the patients on board the steamer not landed people in Constantinople or Cyprus , and came to Egypt, where Russian refugees were placed by the British authorities in the camp at Tel el - Kebir . Since 1920 he lives in Cairo. In Egypt Bilibin working on sketches panels and frescoes in Byzantine style mansions for wealthy Greek merchants . Studying Egyptian art , first Muslim and Coptic , then the art of ancient Egypt. In February 1923 Bilibin marries artist AV Shchekatikhina - Potocki , came to him in Cairo with his son Mstislav . The summer of 1924 traveling with his family to Syria and Palestine . In October 1924 settles vAleksandrii .

In August 1925 Bilibin moved to Paris . At this time he prepares brilliant scenery for productions of Russian operas, ballet artist invited to draw Stravinsky " Firebird" in Buenos Aires and several operas in Brno and Prague. Performs illustrations of Russian fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales , tales of Thousand and One Nights .