Art Talk: Simeran Maxwell on Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes

Duration: 45 minutes including Q&A

Join Simeran Maxwell (Curator, Australian Art) for an art talk focused on the costumes of the nomadic Russian ballet company, the Ballets Russes.

Founded by arts patron and impresario, Serge Diaghilev, the Ballets Russes first performed in Paris in 1909. The company rose to fame presenting a series of ‘exotic’ ballet performances which reinterpreted both their Russian culture, as well as Asian, Mediterranean and Middle Easten influences. Following the advice of Natalia Goncharov, Diaghilev later employed notable modern artists to design for his ballets. Names included Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Sonia Delaunay amongst many others. Under Diaghilev’s exacting direction, he took the company to Paris, London and later the Americas, influencing fashion, interior design and also the art world right up until today.

This Art Talk will look at the National Gallery’s collection of Ballets Russes costumes, specifically Léon Bakst’s Costume for a brigand c.1912. Simeran will explore the development of this world class collection and the central roll that the Ballets Russes played in the relationship between art and dance in the first half of the 20th century.

Art Talk is a free weekly program. Hear from artists, curators and experts on the works in our collection and exhibition program. Art Talks in February focus on performance.