Col. de Basil's Ballets Russes

Col. de Basil's Ballets Russes - 3rd season, June to September 1936, Royal Opera House. A collection of ballet programmes, each of which contains a plot synopsis and list of credits for costumes, choreography, scenery, etc. Alongside the programmes, the book features portraits of the Ballet Russe directors and dancers, several taken by celebrity and burlesque photographing pair 'Maurice Seymour'. Coloured images show drawings of costumes and set designs by Pablo Picasso, Jean Hugo, J M Sert, Leon Bakst, Andre Derain, E Lourie, Natalia Goncharova and Mikhail Larionov. The cover features a design by Ivan Bilibin, the popular Russian illustrator and stage designer who founded Mir Isskustvo and the Artist's Union of the USSR. Much like Goncharova and Larionov, Bilibin drew inspiration from Russian folk art, Medieval and Renaissance art, Art Nouveau, and the open line and filled color style of Japanese prints. Poor condition, damage to the spine, cover detached, wearing on the cover, creasing, minor marks. Inner pages in good condition.