The Great Ballets Russes and Modern Art

A collection of fascinating art and design from the Ballets Russes, celebrating the origin of modern art and fashion.

In the early 20th century, Ballets Russes, a traveling Russian ballet company based in Paris and founded by a Russian impresario Sergei Diaghilev, created a worldwide sensation. They brought innovation to the performing arts not just with music and choreography but also with scenography and costumes designed by Picasso, Matisse, and Chanel. They pioneered an integrated approach to the performing arts in pursuit of the "ideal work of art" and made a huge impact on modern art. Accompanied by rich commentary and focusing mainly on Ballets Russes, this book introduces various beautiful designs from the performing arts from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.