Ivan Bilibin

Upon discovery of the aforementioned Vasnetsov, a swanky art book ordered through the channels available introduced us to the work of Ivan Bilibin, an illustrator with a similar subject matter, influenced by folk art, art nouveau, Japanese prints, lubok, and medieval illuminations, all things very dear to the heart of yours truly.

Vasilisa the Beautiful is one of my personal favorites, due to her Cinderella character being both beautiful and smart, dealing with the likes of wicked stepmothers and Baba Yaga. While dealing with seemingly impossible tasks and unreasonable people, especially in the form of jealous and irrational old women probably rings too close to reality, there's no disputing that this picture is badass in the most Slavic folklore way possible.

 

Although his life was cut short by the brutal siege of Leningrad in World War II, he did illustrations, advertisements, and set designs that somehow manage to be both epic and whimsical at the same time. 

 

more here.