Diaghilev & the Ballets Russes

Still on for another few weeks this exhibition was much more comprehensive than expected and certainly inspirational in the colouring and design. I was staggered to learn that The Rite of Spring, one of their most famous ballets was only actually performed 9 times.  The costumes were all handpainted on quite heavy cotton and wool, making movement difficult for the dancers. Relatively crude close-up but impressive from the distance of an audience.

Natalia Goncharova’s work was something of a revelation. She worked with the Ballets Russes from 1914 to 1929 and her sets for The Firebird made me long to see the original work in action. One of her backdrops is displayed: apparently the largest item in the possession of the V & A. I succumbed to the catalogue as there was just too much to take in…