Russian Postcards

Knights on horseback. Moscow, 1903

In honor of National Postcard Week (until this morning, we hadn't heard of it either, but it runs from May 6-12, 2012), we present a group of brightly colored lithographed postcards showing folk art-inspired images of a romanticized Russia by Ivan Bilibin.

A troubadour singing before a city. Moscow, 1903

Bilibin first trained as a lawyer, but after traveling through Europe, he became attracted to the art world. He was inspired by the folklore and art of his native northern Russia, and he incorporated these with elements of the Art Nouveau movement. Bilibin became highly successful as a book illustrator, producing a much-beloved series of Russian fairy tales, and later received acclaim as a theatrical designer, working for the Ballets Russes, as well as the Thèatre des Champs-Elysées.

Peasant woman. Moscow, 1904

His work often shows local scenes and characters usually surrounded by attractive borders. The scenery is almost as important as the figures and draws on the setting of Old Russia. Through this medium he was able to capture the life and spirit of his fellow Russians.

For more information on all five postcards, please visit our website.