Thanks to Alli for recognizing this Russian illustrator on the cover of OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!
Just out of art school, he became fascinated by the remote countryside and dark folk tales of Northern Russia. Later, his travels brought him to settle in Paris at the height of the Art Nouveau style,
illustrating fairy and folk tales, as well as designing stage sets for the Ballets Russes.
illustrating fairy and folk tales, as well as designing stage sets for the Ballets Russes.
His illustrations, above, are from the Russian tale of "Vasilisa the Beautiful", who falls into the clutches of evil witch, Baba Yaga. Read all about it in Tatar's book, chapter 9 "Cannibalism and Oral Greed". It's not a required reading, but who could resist with a title like that?!
