Alexandre
Nikolaevich BENOIS
Born 1870 in St. Petersburg - died
1960 in Paris
Painter,
graphic artist, theatre
designer, art historian and critic.
Paintings
and Graphic Work
Illustrations
Theatre
Biography
Paintings
and Graphic Work:

The King's
Walk. 1896.
Gouache, pastel on cardboard, 44 x 62
cm. The Russian Museum, St-Petersburg.

Before the Statue of
Curtius. 1897. From the "Last
Promenades of Louis XIV" series.
Watercolor on paper. The Russian Museum,
St-Petersburg.

Feeding the
Fish. From the series Last Walks of Louis XIV . 1897.
Watercolor, gouache and pastel on paper. 47.8 x 62.5
cm. The Russian Museum, St-Petersburg.

Peterhoff. Building
Surmounted by a Coat of Arms. 1900.
Watercolor on paper. Private collection, St.
Petersburg.

Fountains of Peterhoff. 1901
Gouache on paper, 93x104.5 cm. The I.Brodsky Museum,
St. Petersburg.
Paintings
and Graphic Work
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Oranienbaum. 1901.
Watercolor and pencil on paper. The Tretyakov
Gallery, Moscow.

Palace in Pavlovsk. The
Library. 1902.
Watercolor on paper. Private collection,
St.Petersburg.

Anteroom of the Grand
Palace at Pavlovsk. 1902.
Gouache, pastel, charcoal on cardboard, 31x58.4
cm. The Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.

The Summer
Garden in the Time of Peter the Great. 1902.
Lithography, illuminated on watercolor. The
Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.

The Guards at Drill in
Front of the Winter Palace. 1903.
Lithography, illuminated on watercolor. The
Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.
Paintings
and Graphic Work
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Promenade of Empress
Elizabeth. 1903.
Lithography, illuminated on watercolor. The
Russian Museum, St.Petersburg.

Stairs at Sisterone by
Cathedrale of St.Dominic. 1903.
Watercolor on paper. The Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.

Lake Primelle. Brittany. 1905.
Watercolor and ink on gray paper, 26.5x46.5 cm. The
I.Brodsky Museum, St. Petersburg.

In Finland.
Watercolor on paper.

View from
Krestovsky Bridge. St.Petersburg.
Watercolor on paper.
Paintings
and Graphic Work
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Flood of Oka-River.
Watercolor on paper. The Russian Museum, St.
Petersburg.

Pond at
Versailles. 1905.
Gouache, watercolor on paper mounted on cardboard.
The Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.

Water
Parterre in Versailles. Autumn. 1905.
Gouache, watercolor, pen and ink on paper mounted on
cardboard, 47.8 x 65.6 cm. The Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.

Chinese Pavilion.
Jealous Man. 1906.
Gouache, pen and ink on paper mounted on
cardboard, 50.7x53.5 cm. The Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.
Paintings
and Graphic Work
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The King's
Walk. 1906
Gouache, pencil, pen and ink on cardboard, 48 x 62
cm.

Fantasy on
the Theme of Versailles. 1906.
Pencil, pen and ink on paper mounted on cardboard,
49.6 x 67.7 cm. The Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.

Greenhouse.
1906.
Gouache on cardboard. The Tretyakov Gallery,
Moscow.

The Bath of the
Marquise. 1906.
Gouache, pen and ink on cardboard, 51x47.5
cm. The Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.

Italian Comedy.
Immodest Polichinel. 1906.
Oil on paper mounted on canvas. The Russian
Museum, St. Petersburg.
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and Graphic Work
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Castle. 1907.
Gouache and watercolor on paper, 23.3x31cm. The
I.Brodsky Museum, St. Petersburg.

Parade in
the Reign of Paul l. 1907.
Gouache on paper, 59.6 x 82 cm. The Russian Museum,
St. Petersburg.

A Kiss. 1908.
Gouache on cardboard. The Tretyakov Gallery,
Moscow.

Venetian Garden.
Versailles. 1910.
Watercolor on paper mounted on
cardboard, 48.4x63.7 cm. The Russian Museum, St. Petersburg.

Peter l Taking a Walk
in the Summer Garden. 1910.
Gouache on paper. The Russian Museum, St.
Petersburg.
Paintings
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Montagnola. 1911.
Watercolor and blue pencil on paper, 31.3x48.2
cm. Private collection, St.Petersburg.

Water Parter at Park of
Versailles. 1912.
Watercolor, Indian ink, pen on paper mounted on
cardboard, 30x45 cm. Petrodvoretz
(Peterhoff) Museum, near St.Petersburg.

Rose-Colored Cottage at
Craissognot. 1912.
Watercolor on paper. Private collection,
St.Petersburg.

Villa Kapnist at Sudak
(Crimea). 1915.
Watercolor on paper, 30.2x38.5 cm. Private
collection, Moscow.

Venice. Bridge of Sighs. Not later
than 1927.
Watercolor on cardboard, 30.8x21.3 cm. The I.Brodsky
Museum, St. Petersburg.
Paintings
and Graphic Work
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Illustrations:

"ABC in Pictures". 1904.
Cover.
Edition of "Dispatch
Office of Purchase the State Papers", St.Petersburg.

Blind-man's Buffs. Beetles. 1904. Illustration for "ABC
in Pictures".
Edition of "Dispatch
Office of Purchase the State Papers", St.Petersburg.

Forest. Moon. 1904. Illustration for "ABC in
Pictures".
Edition of "Dispatch
Office of Purchase the State Papers", St.Petersburg.

Knights. 1904. Illustration for "ABC in
Pictures".
Edition of "Dispatch
Office of Purchase the State Papers", St.Petersburg.

Sweets. 1904. Illustration for "ABC in
Pictures".
Edition of "Dispatch
Office of Purchase the State Papers", St.Petersburg.
Paintings
and Graphic Work
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Theatre. 1904. Illustration for "ABC in
Pictures".
Edition of "Dispatch
Office of Purchase the State Papers", St.Petersburg.

Street. Hurricane. 1904. Illustration for "ABC in
Pictures".
Edition of "Dispatch
Office of Purchase the State Papers", St.Petersburg.

"The Bronze Horseman". 1905. Cover for poem
by A.S.Pushkin. Edition of "Dispatch Office of Purchase the State
Papers", St.Petersburg (not executed). Printed later in the
edition A.S.Pushkin, Collected works, v 3, St.Petersburg, 1909.
Pen, Indian ink, illuminated with watercolor on paper. Petrodvoretz
(Peterhoff) Museum, near St.Petersburg.

"The Bronze Horseman". 1905. Frontispiece for
poem by A.S.Pushkin.
Pen, Indian ink, illuminated with watercolor on paper. Petrodvoretz
(Peterhoff) Museum, near St.Petersburg.

"The Bronze Horseman". 1905. Illustration for
poem by A.S.Pushkin.
Pen, Indian ink, illuminated with watercolor on paper. Petrodvoretz
(Peterhoff) Museum, near St.Petersburg.
Paintings
and Graphic Work
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"The Bronze Horseman". 1905. Illustration for
poem by A.S.Pushkin.
Pen, Indian ink, illuminated with watercolor on paper. Petrodvoretz
(Peterhoff) Museum, near St.Petersburg.

"The Bronze Horseman". 1905. Illustration for
poem by A.S.Pushkin.
Pen, Indian ink, illuminated with watercolor on paper. Petrodvoretz
(Peterhoff) Museum, near St.Petersburg.

"The Bronze Horseman". 1905. Illustration for
poem by A.S.Pushkin.
Pen, Indian ink, illuminated with watercolor on paper. Petrodvoretz
(Peterhoff) Museum, near St.Petersburg.

"The Bronze Horseman". 1905. Illustration for
poem by A.S.Pushkin.
Pen, Indian ink, illuminated with watercolor on paper. Petrodvoretz
(Peterhoff) Museum, near St.Petersburg.

"The Bronze Horseman". 1905. Illustration for
poem by A.S.Pushkin.
Pen, Indian ink, illuminated with watercolor on paper. Petrodvoretz
(Peterhoff) Museum, near St.Petersburg.
Paintings
and Graphic Work
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"The Bronze Horseman".
1905. Illustration for poem by A.S.Pushkin.
Pen, Indian ink, illuminated with watercolor on paper. Petrodvoretz
(Peterhoff) Museum, near St.Petersburg.

"The Bronze Horseman". 1905. Illustration for
poem by A.S.Pushkin.
Pen, Indian ink, illuminated with watercolor on paper. Petrodvoretz
(Peterhoff) Museum, near St.Petersburg.

"The Bronze Horseman". 1905. Illustration for
poem by A.S.Pushkin.
Pen, Indian ink, illuminated with watercolor on paper. Petrodvoretz
(Peterhoff) Museum, near St.Petersburg.
Paintings
and Graphic Work
Illustrations
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Theatre:

Set design for "Cupid's
Revenge". 1900. Opera
by S.Taneyev (Theatre Hermitage, St.Petersburg).
Watercolor and charcoal on paper, 32.7x47.6 cm.
Private collection, St.Petersburg.

Armida's Garden. 1907. Set design for for
the ballet "Armida's Pavilion". Music by N.Cherepnin,
choreography by M.Fokin, libretto A.Benois after novel by Th.Gautier
"Omphale". Mariinsky Theatre, St.Petersburg. S.Diagilev
enterprise, Theatre Chatelet, Paris. Scenery and costumes by
A.Benois.
Watercolor , Indian ink, pencil on paper, 47.5x63.2
cm. Collection of N.&N.Lobanov-Rostovskys, London.
Scene of the dream. 1907. Set design for for
the ballet "Armida's Pavilion". Music by N.Cherepnin,
choreography by M.Fokin, libretto A.Benois after novel by Th.Gautier
"Omphale". Mariinsky Theatre, St.Petersburg. S.Diagilev
enterprise, Theatre Chatelet, Paris. Scenery and costumes by
A.Benois.
Watercolor , Indian ink, pencil on paper, 47.5x63.2
cm. Collection of N.&N.Lobanov-Rostovskys, London.

Marquis Fierbois. 1907. Costume sketch
for the ballet "Armida's Pavilion" by N.Cherepnin.
Watercolor, Indian ink, silver paint on paper,
37.5x37.5 cm. Collection of N.&N.Lobanov-Rostovskys, London.

The Red Magician. 1907.
Costume sketch for the ballet "Armida's Pavilion" by
N.Cherepnin.
Watercolor, ink, pencil on paper. Private
collection, Moscow.
Paintings
and Graphic Work
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Rinaldo. 1907. Costume
sketch for the ballet "Armida's Pavilion", music by
N.Cherepnin. S.Diagilev enterprise, Paris.
Watercolor, pencil on cardboard. The Russian
Museum, St.Petersburg.

Set design for ballet "Giselle". 1910.
Music by A.Adan.
Libretto V. de Sen-Jeorge, Th.Gautier and J.Corally. Choreography by
M.Fokin. Scenery and costumes by A.Benois. S.Diagilev enterprise,
Paris 1911).
Gouache on cardboard. The Russian Museum,
St.Petersburg.

A Hunter. 1910. Costume sketch for the
ballet by A.Adan "Giselle".
Watercolor on paper. Private collection,
Moscow.

A Lady. 1910. Costume
sketch for the ballet by A.Adan "Giselle".
Watercolor on paper. Private collection,
Moscow.

The Fair. 1911.
Set design for the ballet by I.Stravinsky "Petrushka". Burlesque
in four scenes. Music by I.Stravinsky, plot by I.Stravinsky and A.Benois,
choreography by M.Fokin. Scenery and costumes by
A.Benois. Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow. S.Diagilev enterprise, Paris.
Tempera on paper, 63x48.7 cm. Museum of Bolshoi
Theatre, Moscow.
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and Graphic Work
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St.Petersburg
Show-Booths. Set design for the ballet by I.Stravinsky "Petrushka". 1911.
Burlesque in four scenes. Music by I.Stravinsky, plot by I.Stravinsky
and A.Benois, choreography by M.Fokin. Scenery and
costumes by A.Benois. Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow. S.Diagilev
enterprise, Paris.
Watercolor, gouache, whitening on paper, 83.4x60 cm.
Museum of Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow.

The Blackmoor's Room. 1911.
Set design for the ballet by I.Stravinsky "Petrushka". Burlesque
in four scenes. Music by I.Stravinsky, plot by I.Stravinsky and A.Benois,
choreography by M.Fokin. Scenery and costumes by
A.Benois. Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow. S.Diagilev enterprise, Paris.
Watercolor, gouache on paper, 63x48.7 cm. Museum of Bolshoi
Theatre, Moscow.

A Street Dancer. 1911. Costume
sketch for the ballet by I.Stravinsky "Petrushka".
Watercolor on paper.

Conjuror. 1911. Costume
sketch for the ballet by I.Stravinsky "Petrushka".
Watercolor, pencil, silver paint on paper. Bolshoi
Theatre Museum, Moscow.

A Goat with a Fiddle.
1911. Mummers costume sketch for the ballet by I.Stravinsky "Petrushka".
Watercolor, pencil on paper. Bolshoi Theatre
Museum, Moscow.
Paintings
and Graphic Work
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Ballerina. 1911. Costume
sketch for the ballet by I.Stravinsky "Petrushka".
Watercolor, pencil, golden and silver paints on
paper. Bolshoi Theatre Museum, Moscow.

The Princess's Grandson
and Granddaughter. 1911. Costume sketch for the ballet by I.Stravinsky
"Petrushka".
Watercolor, pencil on paper. Bolshoi Theatre
Museum, Moscow.

The Moor. 1911. Costume
sketch for the ballet by I.Stravinsky "Petrushka".
Watercolor, pencil, golden and silver paints on
paper. Bolshoi Theatre Museum, Moscow.

The Bear. 1911. Mummers
costume sketch for the ballet by I.Stravinsky "Petrushka".
Watercolor, pencil on paper. Private collection,
Moscow.

Venetian Festival. 1912. Set design for ballet "Festivals"
on music by C.Debussy
(unstaged).
Gouache on paper. Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.
Paintings
and Graphic Work
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The Emperor's Palace.
The Throne Room. 1914. Set design of the Second Act for the opera by
I.Stravinsky "Nightingale". Libretto
by S.Mitusov based on H.C.Andersen's fairy-tale. Choreography by
B.Romanov. Scenery and costumes by A.Benois. S.Diagilev enterprise, Paris.
Watercolor, gouache on paper. The Russian
Museum, St.Petersburg.

Chinese March. 1914. Costume sketch for
the opera by I.Stravinsky "Nightingale".
Watercolor on paper. The Russian Museum,
St.Petersburg.

The Courtier Carrying
the Nightingale in the Chinese March. 1914. Costume sketch for the
opera by I.Stravinsky "Nightingale".
Watercolor on paper. The Russian Museum,
St.Petersburg.

The Leading Dancer in
the Chinese Emperor's Procession. 1914. Costume sketch for the opera
by I.Stravinsky "Nightingale".
Watercolor on paper. The Russian Museum,
St.Petersburg.

A Fisherman. 1914. Costume
sketch for the opera by I.Stravinsky "Nightingale".
Watercolor on paper. The Russian Museum,
St.Petersburg.
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and Graphic Work
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Set design for "Lady with Camellias". 1923.
Play by Dumas-son (Theatre of Sarah Bernhard, Paris).
Gouache on paper, 41x57 cm. Collection of
N.&N.Lobanov-Rostovskys, London.

Set design for "A Feast at the Time of the Plague ".
1923. Play by
A.S.Pushkin.
Gouache on paper. Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.

Market Place. 1924. Set design for "The
Fan" by C.Goldoni.
Watercolor on paper. Central Theatrical Museum,
Moscow.

Market Place. 1924. Set design for "Le Médecin malgré lui", the comic opera in
three acts and ballet. Music
by Ch.Gounod, choreography by B.Nizhinskaya, staging, scenery and costumes
by A.Benois. S.Diagilev enterprise (Monte-Carlo Theatre).
Gouache on paper, 29x39.5 cm. Collection of
N.&N.Lobanov-Rostovskys, London.
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Biography:
Benois
was an occasional student at the Academy of Arts, St Petersburg
(1887-1888). He has studied at the Law Faculty of the University of
St Petersburg (1890-1904). Was one of organizers of the World of Art
group. From 1891 he participated in exhibitions including Society of
Russian
Watercolorists, World
of Art (SRKh). Frequently traveled in France,
Germany and Italy (1890-1910).
The
artist has produced a series of landscapes of Versailles, views of
St Petersburg and its
environs. He illustrated Pushkin’s Queen of Spades and The
Bronze Horseman. Was the editor of journal Mir Iskusstva (World
of Art) (1901-1903). His work was also exhibited as part of the
art group bearing the same name.
Benois
designed ballet, opera and theatre productions in St Petersburg , Moscow
(1901-1903), and for Dyagilev’s private company.
He
was curator of Hermitage Museum and member of Commission for Preservation
of Antiquities and Monuments of Art (1918-1922. Author of numerous works
on art history and critic articles.
From
1926 the artist lived in Paris, and worked for
Comedie Francaise, Paris, and La Scala, Milan.
He
held several exhibitions abroad including Paris (1926, 1929, 1940, 1953),
London (1936, 1938, 1953, 1960), Milan (1988).
Paintings
and Graphic Work
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