Matchmaker. Sketch of the Costume for the Ballet 'The Jester' 1915

Mikhail Larionov rendered this costume sketch for the ballet ‘The Jester’ using watercolor and graphite on paper. The magic here lies in the intersection of fine art and applied design. The bright, bold, and deliberately unsophisticated aesthetic of the sketch, is translated into a form that could be produced on a large scale. Larionov’s sketch can be seen as a set of instructions for the skilled labor of costume makers, who in turn are deeply connected to the textile industry. The painted patterns, such as the paisley shawl and orange checks, suggest the kind of cloth that might be traded and collected for the creation of elaborate folk costumes. The final piece is part painting, part design, part recipe for physical production, and a tribute to the traditions that underpin its making.