Boris Godunov. Postcards of costume designs for Mussogorsky's opera [with] postcards from skazkis.

A scarce collection of postcards by Ivan Bilibin, taken from his costume designs for Boris Godunov and illustrations for fairytales. These bright examples exemplify his colourful and ever popular style inspired by traditional designs. Bilibin designed the costumes for Rimsky-Korsakov's version of Mussogorksy's opera which was produced by Diaghilev and premiered at the Paris Opera in 1908.

Bilibin embraced folk art, travelling extensively in the far north where traditional wooden architecture is prevalent. He also had his own collection of lubki which he had seen inside peasant houses pasted to the walls with bread. Although his scenes are distinctively medieval, he did not, simply want to mimic the past but created a style which also reflected the visual trends of the time. His intricate detailing is reminiscent of Edwardian England but his cupolas and fabric designs are distinctly Russian.

Collection of 10 postcards, 6 of costume designs and a set of 4 from fairytales(14 x 8.5 cm); lithographed in colour by N. Kadushin, dated 1911, reverses left blank, one with minor staining, an exceptionally bright and fine set.