Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Derain, André, 1880-1954.

Found in

1. Alexandra Danilova collection.

Description

1. 1 print : silkscreen, color; 59 x 69 cm., image 46 x 59 cm.

Summary

1. Reproduction of André Derain's design for the curtain or front-cloth of the ballet La concurrence. It depicts the commedia dell'arte characters Harlequin, Pierrot, and Columbine in a landscape. Harlequin and Pierrot, both seen in back view, respectively carry a guitar and a lute. Columbine is portrayed as an equestrienne, standing nonchalantly on the back of a dappled horse, holding what may be a large tambourine in her left hand.

Alternative title

1. Alexandra Danilova collection. Graphics.

Subject

1. Harlequin (Fictitious character)
2. Columbine (Fictitious character)
3. Concurrence (Choreographic work : Balanchine)
4. Screen prints
5. Pierrot (Fictitious character)

Genre/Form

1. Screen prints.

Call number

1. *MGZFZ Conc 1

Note

1. Title devised by cataloger.
2. The artist's signature, Derain, appears at lower left.
3. The original design is discussed in: Pritchard, Jane, "Andre Derain in Paris: the exhibition at the Musee d'Art Moderne," in Dancing times, Feb. 1995, p. 479-487. The article includes an illustration of the design, taken from a souvenir program of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.

Source (note)

1. Alexandra Danilova.

Biography (note)

1. George Balanchine's ballet La concurrence (music, Georges Auric; libretto, scenery, and costumes, André Derain) was first presented in Monte Carlo in 1932 by the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo. According to Jane Pritchard (see reference above), there were several versions of the design for the curtain or front-cloth, some incorporating more details in the landscape and/or figures.
2. The French artist André Derain was a major exponent of the artistic movement called Fauvism at the start of the twentieth century. His first ballet design was for Léonide Massine's La boutique fantasque, first presented by Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in 1919. He collaborated on a number of ballets in subsequent years, often contributing scenarios as well as designs for scenery and costumes.
3. Alexandra Danilova, the former owner of this print, was trained at the Imperial Ballet School in Russia, where she began her performing career. In 1924 she went to western Europe with George Balanchine, for whom she was, for a time, muse and romantic partner. She danced with Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, and other ballet companies, and for many fans she epitomized the glamourous Russian ballerina.

Linking entry (note)

1. Forms part of the Alexandra Danilova collection. Graphics.

Title

1. [Curtain design for La concurrence] [graphic].

Imprint

1. [after 1932]

Biography

1. George Balanchine's ballet La concurrence (music, Georges Auric; libretto, scenery, and costumes, André Derain) was first presented in Monte Carlo in 1932 by the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo. According to Jane Pritchard (see reference above), there were several versions of the design for the curtain or front-cloth, some incorporating more details in the landscape and/or figures.
2. The French artist André Derain was a major exponent of the artistic movement called Fauvism at the start of the twentieth century. His first ballet design was for Léonide Massine's La boutique fantasque, first presented by Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in 1919. He collaborated on a number of ballets in subsequent years, often contributing scenarios as well as designs for scenery and costumes.
3. Alexandra Danilova, the former owner of this print, was trained at the Imperial Ballet School in Russia, where she began her performing career. In 1924 she went to western Europe with George Balanchine, for whom she was, for a time, muse and romantic partner. She danced with Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, and other ballet companies, and for many fans she epitomized the glamourous Russian ballerina.

Linking entry

1. Forms part of the Alexandra Danilova collection. Graphics.

Local note

1. Cataloging funds provided by Friends of Jerome Robbins Dance Division.

Source

1. Gift; Alexandra Danilova.

Added author

1. Derain, André, 1880-1954. Artist

Added title

1. Alexandra Danilova collection. Graphics.

Found in:

1. Alexandra Danilova collection.

Research call number

1. *MGZFZ Conc 1