Serge Diaghilev 1915

Editor: This is Michel Larionov’s sketch of Serge Diaghilev, likely from 1915. It’s a profile view, and Diaghilev’s looking upwards. I'm struck by the artist's choice to focus on the upward gaze. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The upward gaze is highly symbolic. It speaks to aspiration, even spiritual yearning, resonating with Diaghilev's ambition to elevate ballet to a higher art form. Consider the cultural memory associated with upward gazes in religious iconography—the saints looking towards heaven. Editor: So, you're saying the upward gaze isn't just a physical direction, but also carries layers of meaning? Curator: Precisely! It invokes a tradition, connecting Diaghilev to a lineage of cultural figures seeking transcendence and innovation. It reminds us how visual symbols can echo through time. Editor: That's a new way of looking at it for me. Thanks. Curator: It's fascinating how a simple sketch can be a vessel for such rich cultural memory.