Ivan Bilibin (1876-1942) was a "draughtsman, book illustrator, [and] leading representative of Russian artistic culture." Yeah, yeah and he's got killer eyes. And his hair is freaking awesome.
Tragically, Ivan died in Siege of Leningrad...basically the Germans cut the city off for 972 days making it "one of the longest and most destructive sieges in history." Apparently, "In January–February 1942 about 700–10,000 citizens died every day, most of them from hunger." AND "Reports of cannibalism appeared in the winter of 1941-1942, after all birds, rats and pets were eaten by survivors. Hungry gangs attacked and ate defenseless people. Leningrad police even formed a special unit to combat cannibalism." Whoa.
But let's celebrate his life, shall we? He was incredibly talented. His initial inspirations came from Russian folk and fairytales. He illustrated a bunch of books...
I kinda want that skull light 'em up thing. For when I walk alone in the woods. With my hair in a braid. In Russia.
I'd hit that.
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