Scarce large-scale portfolio on the Ballets Russes. One of only 250 copies.

Ludwig Kainer (1885 - 1967) started a career in medicine but decided to become an artist after visiting Paris in 1909 and falling in love with the works of Cézanne, Matisse and Renoir. He met Serge Diaghilev, Vaslav Nijinsky and the Ballets Russes troupe in Munich later that year and it was from this encounter that he was invited to sketch the artists in their studio. These wonderful coloured lithographs depict the striking choreography and costumes of the revolutionary Ballets Russes.

Limited edition, one of 250 copies, this numbered 37, folio (50 x 42 cm); bifolium with title, justification in German and introduction by Nijinsky and Karsavina in French, 14 plates of illustrations, eight of which are original lithographs, and six are hand-coloured collotypes, some spotting to a few plates, a few edges creased or worn, captions in pencil by Kainer; in the original black cloth portfolio, stamped in silver gilt with a design after Nijinsky in Carnaval, some wear to spine, a good copy.