Costume design for the ballet "Firebird" by Igor Stravinsky 1931

This is a costume design for Igor Stravinsky’s ballet "Firebird," created in 1931 by Ivan Bilibin, amidst the tumultuous years following the Russian Revolution. The design offers a window into how national identity was being reimagined in the arts. This warrior, with his stylized armor and sword, evokes a sense of Russian folklore. But look closer and you will see that his slender frame and decorative costume challenge traditional, masculine representations of heroism. The bold color palette, blending earthy tones with vibrant reds and greens, creates an intriguing tension. It also reflects the avant-garde spirit of the Ballets Russes, a company which sought to redefine ballet for a new era. Bilibin had emigrated from Russia in 1919 and his work often returned to the aesthetics and narratives of his homeland. In this costume design, Bilibin navigates the complex terrain of cultural identity, blending nostalgia with a forward-looking artistic vision.