Collection des plus beaux numéros de Comœdia illustré et des programmes consacrés aux ballets & galas russes

A selection of printed special issues of, and supplements to, the theatrical periodical 'Comoedia illustré'. This stage, theatre and ballet monthly was published in Paris between 1908 and 1921, although suspended publication (except for special issues or supplements) between September 1914 and October 1919. At the beginning of 1922, 'Comoedia illustré' merged with 'Le Théâtre' [published 1898-1921] and became 'Le Théâtre et comoedia illustré' [published 1922-1926]). 'Le comoedia' often devoted whole special issues to the annual Paris season of Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes and Ida Rubinstein's Galas Russes. Special supplements of the magazine were often published as programmes to new performances. These special issues and supplements were usually lavishly illustrtated, usually in full colour, with the costume and set designs, and to portraits of the leading dancers and singers in the operas and ballets. Leading designers at different times included Natalia Goncharova, Mikhael Larionov, Léon Bakst (who was particularly prolific), Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Léonide Massine, José Maria Sert, André Derain, and other avant-garde artists.