NIKOLAI REMIZOV (1887-1975) Caricature portrait of Nikita Baliev

inscribed in Cyrillic ‘N. F. Baliev’ (lower left); old label (on the reverse) watercolor on paper 15.30 x 23 cm The Théâtre de la Chauve-Souris (The Bat Theatre), founded in Moscow in 1908 by Nikita Baliev, became one of the most distinctive Russian musical theatre companies of the early twentieth century. Following the upheavals of history, the troupe evolved into a touring company performing in cities such as Paris, London and New York. It was notable for bringing together artists from the Imperial theatres, the dramatic stage and the avant-garde, including figures such as the stage designer Sergei Sudeikin and the choreographer Elizabeth Anderson. During its first ‘Russian season’ in Paris in 1920–1921, critics hailed the company as a true avant-garde school. Remizov worked as a theatre set designer and painter for the company. He designed sets and costumes for productions, as well as creating illustrations for the theatre’s promotional material. Drawing on the tradition of the Russian illustrated press, his satirical, graphic style was perfectly in keeping with the ironic, theatrical cabaret spirit of La Chauve-Souris.