Иллюстрация к "Былинам"

1910

Leaves the Union of Russian Artists

Because of differences in creative approach, Bilibin left the Union of Russian Artists; the same year he rejoined the World of Art.

1911

State Papers commissions: postcards, posters, envelopes

The State Papers Department hired Bilibin to illustrate ball programmes, exhibition and book posters, postcards for the Red Cross Society of St Eugenia, and envelopes and stationery with Russian bogatyrs. The same year saw Roslavlev's fairy tales published with his illustrations.

late 1912

Common-law marriage to Renée O'Connell

While still married to Maria Chambers (they effectively separated after 1912), Bilibin entered a common-law marriage with his former student at the Society's school, the Paris-born artist Renée O'Connell, fifteen years his junior. Together they travelled around Crimea to draw.

1914

His first wife leaves for England with their sons

Maria Chambers left for England with the children and never returned to Russia. Their elder son Alexander, deaf since the age of nine, became a well-known stage designer there, and the younger, Ivan, a journalist.