Franz Hellens (Frederic Van Ermengem), jury member at La Cambre, put Ivanovsky in touch with Desclée De Brouwer publishers (see nr. 127). This publishing house specialized in illustrated books, especially children’s books for different age-groups. Big and small in French, Dutch and Spanish editions and Two Russian fairy-tales published in French and Dutch editions were the first illustrated books she made for this company. It was to become the start of a long co-operation between the artist and the publisher, that lasted until 1970, resulting in around 90 different titles (counting the French versions only). Not long after these publications she worked together with Hellens on his novel Bass, Bassina, Boulou, originally published in 1922, which he had reworked into a children’s tale. Ivanovsky’s artistic talent produced another highlight in her young career with these silhouette-like brightly coloured illustrations. A two volume spin-off, a further reworked version, containing additional black and white illustrations and with coloured plates was put on the market simultaneously. The success of her work resulted in an exhibition of drawings, paintings and illustration works, mounted by Paul Fierens in the Palace of Fine Arts in Brussels in 1938.

References:

Valencia 1998, p.108.

Brussels 2005, no. 129

Cotsen 2000, nr. 4720

LS 2007, no. 1936.4