16. BILIBIN, Ivan Yakovlevich (1876-1942). Byliny. Volga [Epics.Volga]. Petrograd: I. I. Bilibina, 1904. 16 pp., large folio (400 x 310 mm). Illustrated with color lithographs after I. Ya. Bilibin. Printed by R. Golike and A. Vilborg. Original decorated wrappers. Condition: wrappers slightly discolored; backstrip with minor chipping and small splits to head and foot.
first edition of this magnificent picture book. Bilibin was one of the best-known members of the Mir Iskusstva [World of Art] group. He was the greatest illustrator of Russia's skazki or fairy tales and was a distinguished set and costume designer. His Volga is one of the most beautifully designed and printed publications of the Silver Age. Bilibin devoted six months to illustrating this ancient bylina or folk epic about the mythic hero Volga. He drew on his vast knowledge of ancient Russian and Ukrainian folk art for costumes, architecture and interiors as well as the style and composition of these extraordinary color lithographs.
est. $1000 – $1500
Unsold