The World Of The Ballets Russes "petrushka"

The World of the Ballets Russes. Oil on canvas, "Petrushka," titled and signed lower right "Petrushka" J.CH DUVAL. French School. 41 x 33 cm. Jean-Charles Duval (1880-1963) was deeply passionate about the Ballets Russes, particularly the productions of Sergei Diaghilev (1872-1929) in Paris. Between 1910 and 1930, the artist devoted his art to drawing and painting everything related to the famous Ballets Russes. A large part of his work is currently held at the Library of the Paris Opera. Our painting depicts a scene from the ballet Petrushka, composed by Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) and premiered in 1911 by the Ballets Russes. The carousel, shown in the lower left, alludes to the Shrove Tuesday fair, as evoked in the first and fourth scenes of the ballet, which take place in Admiralty Square in Saint Petersburg. The face that occupies much of the upper part of the canvas represents the Magician manipulating his three puppets: Petrushka, the Ballerina, and the Moor. The disjointed green puppet, which occupies almost the entire right side of the work, represents Petrushka, the tragic hero, endowed with a human soul, who struggles against his object-like condition. The set designer for the ballet Petrushka was Alexandre Benois (1870-1960), whose talent influenced many Parisian artists of his time. Beyond the iconic subject matter of the Roaring Twenties, Duval's technique, palette, and masterful composition lend this painting the qualities of a rare and valuable work. It is framed in carved, painted, and patinated wood in the Montparnasse style. There are two small losses of paint near the Magician's upper lip. Good condition. 2200 euros.