DIAGHILEV, SERGE. (1872-1929). Russian impresario and influential figure in the development of twentieth century ballet, music and art. DS. (“Serge de Diaghilev”). 1p. 8vo. Paris, October 1, 1906. To L’Argus de la Presse. In French. A printed form from the aforementioned clipping agency, filled out by Diaghilev requesting newspaper articles concerned with his groundbreaking 1906 exhibition in Paris, “l’exposition d’art russe à Paris en Octobre-Novembre 1906.” “Time is Money” is printed twice in English at the head of the document.
Diaghilev Prepares to Introduce Russian Art and Culture to the West
Signed by Serge Diaghilev
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Sergei Diaghliev
Although Diaghilev considered a career as a composer, he entered law school after Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov told him he lacked the necessary talent. While studying Diaghilev met a group of intellectuals dubbed the Nevsky Pickwickians, with whom he founded and edited the journal Mir iskusstva (World of Art) and who sponsored exhibitions of Russian art, including the important 1905 exhibition at Saint Petersburg’s Tauride Palace. The following year, Diaghilev organized the first major show of Russian art in the West at Paris’ Petit Palais, which generated enormous French interest in the Russian arts. Its success prompted Diaghilev’s exhibition the following year at the Eighth Viennese Biennale. Our document employs the press monitoring agency L’Argus to collect newspaper articles highlighting Diaghilev’s historic exhibition.
“Encouraged by the warm reception he had received for Russian art in Paris, Diaghilev returned to his love of music. In 1907 he staged five concerts of Russian music in Paris, with appearances by his former mentor Rimsky-Korsakov, as well as Rachmaninoff and Scriabin. The following year, he presented Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov at the Paris Opéra which garnered glowing reviews,” (“Biography of Sergei Diaghilev,” The Art Story, https://www.theartstory.org/influencer/diaghilev-sergei/life-and-legacy/). In 1909, Diaghilev founded the Ballets Russes, which, for 20 years, brought together leading composers, dancers, choreographers, and artists, highlighting the works of Stravinsky, Nijinsky, Fokine, Balanchine, Kandinsky, Picasso, Satie, Ravel, Matisse, Léon Bakst, and Coco Chanel. Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes’ influence still resonate today.
Folded, creased and age toned. File holes and pin holes in the left margin and with a number written across the top portion in blue pencil as well as some additional marginal notes.
