Ivan Bilibin was perhaps the most important book illustrator in Russia at the beginning of the 20th Century. Bilibin's inspiration came from the rich heritage of Russian fairy and folk tales. After the Russian Revolution in 1917 he left for France together with many other painters, musicians and writers. Together they created the famous "Ballets Russes", extravagant productions of operas by Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, and others. Bilibin was known for creating extraordinary stage and costume designs.