Set and Costume Designs for Ballet and Theatre: The Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection

During his lifetime the late Baron Thyssen-Bornemisza acquired a collection of over fifty drawings - largely of set and costume designs - reflecting the theatre of the first half of the twentieth century, and particularly the ballet, during what was surely its most exciting and innovative period. Twenty-two of these drawings are by Leon Bakst, perhaps the most famous of all theatrical designers, whose revolutionary designs for Diaghilev's Ballet Russes played such a major part in the impact that company made during the years 1909-1929.

In addition to works by Bakst, the collection includes drawings by George Barbier, Alexandre Benois, Erte, Alexandra Exter, Nathalie Gontcharova, Michel Larionov, Jose de Zamora and others.