Ballets Russes

Costume, Dance, and Modern Art

Between 1909 and 1929, the Ballets Russes had a wildly successful run, founded in Paris and later throughout Europe, under the direction of Serge Diaghilev. The company not only revolutionized the world of dance, but also had tremendous influence on the art world, collaborating with prominent artists such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. Movements of the time such as Expressionism and Cubism were reflected in the performances through costume and set design and musical composition. Diaghilev’s goal was to bring together artists of different media and create an experience in which the “overall impact surpassed the parts.”

Costume

While costume design for the Ballets Russes was initially dominated by Russian aesthetics, designers began to incorporate exotic influences resulting in colorful, striking, and innovative creations. These exciting costumes helped to transform the dancers into completely new characters.

Herbert embraces these exotic influences in his work while also considering the American style sensibilities of the time. In the 1940’s, Herbert was commissioned by the National Ballet Company in New York to create designs for some of its performances.

The Dancer

While Herbert portrayed the on-stage theatrics of a show in his work, he was interested in capturing the dancers in a state of rest and contemplation. He removes the artifice of performance to study the figures as individuals, not merely a construction of the director.