Set or curtain design for "La Symphonie Italienne" (Italian Symphonie)
In 1939 Berman designed sets for "La Symphonie Italienne," a ballet developed by the Original Ballet Russe Company that was never staged. Following Sergei Diaghilev's death, Colonel Wassily de Basil and René Blum had formed Les Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo in 1931. Tensions led to a split in 1937, with two new companies established with similar names. De Basil led the Original Ballet Russe Company and Blum the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in partnership with artistic director Léonide Massine. Interestingly, Berman worked for both companies after they decamped to New York at the start of World War II and began to mount rival productions.
Inspired by Italian Baroque precedents, the artist here presents a scene supported by a tromp l'oeil sheet with curled edges pinned to a pink background. Male and female figures sit on, or rest against, a half-buried classical arch at center, with the title on a yellow banner above tied to frayed green draperies at the sides.
Inspired by Italian Baroque precedents, the artist here presents a scene supported by a tromp l'oeil sheet with curled edges pinned to a pink background. Male and female figures sit on, or rest against, a half-buried classical arch at center, with the title on a yellow banner above tied to frayed green draperies at the sides.
Artwork Details
- Title: Set or curtain design for "La Symphonie Italienne" (Italian Symphonie)
- Artist: Eugene Gustavovitch Berman (American (born Russia), St. Petersburg 1899–1972 Rome)
- Date: 1939
- Medium: Watercolor and gouache
- Dimensions: sheet: 10 1/16 x 13 1/16 in. (25.5 x 33.2 cm)
- Classification: Drawings
- Credit Line: Gift of Wesley Simpson, 1957
- Object Number: 57.657.25
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Multiple artists/makers
1938
David Levine
1966
Frank Lloyd Wright
ca. 1912–13
Rockwell Kent
ca. 1950
Rockwell Kent
ca. 1950
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.