vintage fairies at night illustration russia public domain

Today's post showcases works by the painter, illustrator, and poster artist Vladimir Bobritsky (or Bobri, as he came to be known). Born in a wealthy family in Kharkov, Ukraine, in 1898, he studied at the Imperial Art School until the Russian Revolution began. During the ensuing civil war, Bobritsky fought on various sides before managing to escape to Turkey in 1917 using a handmade Polish passport skillfully forged by himself. For a few years he wandered in different areas of Greece and Turkey, while supporting himself with a variety of jobs such as painting icons and signs, designing theater sets and movie posters,and playing the piano. Bobritsky kept records of all his travels by constantly sketching his surroundings, and in 1921 earned his passage to the US by designing sets and costumes for a Russian ballet in Istanbul. Ads for Koret handbags, 1940 After arriving in New York Bobritsky held various jobs including art director at Saks Fifth Avenue, and soon found himself with enough clients to embark on a freelance illustrator career. By the 1930s Bobri, as he had begun to sign his name, was a leading illustrator working in fashion, magazines and advertising. His accounts included Hanes, Koret and Avon; he frequently contributed to Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, McCall's and designed seven covers for The New Yorker. A Kiss Is Round by Blossom Budney, 1954 In the 40's and 50's Bobry began to also produce llustrations for children's books, some of which have since become classics. His style was simple, elegant and bold. Let's Talk About Right and Wrong by Dorothy K. Kripke, 1955 Sleepy Book by Charlotte Zolotow, 1958 The Whiskers of Ho Ho by William Littlefield, 1958 Icebergs by Roma Gans, 1964 Early 1960s ads for Hanes seamless stockings Illustrations for The Guitar Review As a young man Bobri had learned from gypsies to play the guitar, and this passion continued all his life. In 1936 he was among the founders of The New York Society of the Classic Guitar, and served as editor or art director of its publication The Guitar Review until 1985. Other notable visual artists in the group were Gregory d'Alessio, George Giusti and Antonio Petruccelli. Vladimir Bobri lost his life in a house fire in 1986 that also sadly destroyed most of his works.

Russian illustrator of children's books. Like Chagall for young people. More here.