Touring exhibition: Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes

Exhibition available to hire

Costume for the Buffoon's Wife in Larionov and Slavinsky's ballet Chout, Diaghilev Ballet, designed by Mikhail Larionov, 1921. Museum no. S.762-1980

This exhibition celebrates the most exciting dance company of the 20th century and its impact on all forms of theatre, music and fashion.

The Ballets Russes was established by Serge Diaghilev, who has been described as a ‘fertiliser of genius’ for his ability to inspire original theatrical creations and promote dancers, composers and artists. Initially drawing on the renaissance in Russian art, he went on to collaborate with many of the key figures in European music, dance, painting and sculpture.

Presenting its first season in Paris in 1909, the company changed European sensibilities in music, colour and movement, pushing forward the frontiers of theatre during the 20-year period of its peripatetic existence and exerting an influence for the remainder of the century.

Size: Approx 1300m²
Available from late 2012

For further information about hiring this exhibition please contact touringexhibitions@vam.ac.uk

Costume for the Sea Princess

Costume for the Sea Princess in the ballet Sadko, designed by Natalia Gontcharova, 1919, S.741-1980 © Victoria and Albert Museum

Photograph of ballet dancer & choreographer Léonide Massine (1896 - 1979) & artist Henri Matisse (1869 - 1954), with a man size bird costume for Le Chant du Rosignol

Photograph of ballet dancer & choreographer Léonide Massine (1896 - 1979) & artist Henri Matisse (1869 - 1954), with a man size bird costume for Le Chant du Rosignol or The Song of The Nightingale; a ballet by Igor Stravinsky (1882 - 1971) first performed by Diaghilev Ballet Russes, February 1920; French (Paris); c.1920. © Victoria and Albert Museum

Ballet dancers Tamara Karsavina (1885 - 1978) & Adolph Bolm (1884 - 1951)

Photograph - Ballet dancers Tamara Karsavina (1885 - 1978) & Adolph Bolm (1884 - 1951) in The Firebird or L`Oiseau de Feu; a ballet by Igor Stravinsky (1882 - 1971); commissioned by Serge Diaghilev (1872 - 1929) for Diaghilev Ballet Russes in 1910; Covent Garden Theatre, London, 1911; English (London); 1911. © Victoria and Albert Museum

Diaghilev costumes on headless mannequins in the Textile Conservation studio

One of 25 record shots which mainly show Textile conservators working on the Diaghilev Boris Godunov costume. This shot actually shows some of the costumes on headless mannequins in the Textile Conservation studio. © Victoria and Albert Museum

Unrolling of the Le Train Bleu stage cloth signed by Picasso

One of a series of 60 record shots of the unrolling of the Le Train Bleu stage cloth signed by Picasso. The Theatre Museum marked announcement of its redevelopment plans by unrolling the world's largest signed Picasso in the Floral Hall of the Royal Opera House. The massive cloth is a Backcloth for Le Train Bleu: scaled up version of Picasso's paining 'Deux Femmes Courant sur la Plage' and was painted for Diaghilev's Ballet Russes, Le Train Bleu © Victoria and Albert Museum

Design for a costume for Columbine in 'The Sleeping Princess'

Design for a costume for Columbine in The Sleeping Princess, Leon Bakst, 1921, / E.1108-1922© Victoria and Albert Museum

Sculpture of Adolph Bolm as the Polovtsian Chief

Sculpture of Adolph Bolm as the Polovtsian Chief, Cluzel, 1909, S.874-1981© Victoria and Albert Museum