Russian Art
Benois, A. N.
"Petrushka, Set Design". 1910 - 1911
Notes: Study for the Set of Scene 1 of Stravinsky's Ballet "Petrushka".
The scenes and costumes for "Petrushka" are commonly considered Benois' finest work. Presented by Diaghilev's Ballets Russes for the Paris season of 1911, the ballet featured the legendary Nijinsky in the lead role of the puppet Petrushka.
After Stravinsky began to compose the music for the ballet inspired by the Russian pagan rites of spring, Diaghilev, who oversaw the production, asked Benois to participate. Since the ballet is set during the St. Petersburg Carnival Fair at the time of Tsar Nicholas 1, Benois, a lover of that city and its colorful life and history, was a natural for the task.
