Natalia Goncharova
Costume for a peasant woman in The Golden Cockerel 1937

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
© Natalia Goncharova, 1937/ ADAGP. Reproduced by permission of VISCOPY Ltd, Sydney 1999.

Goncharova redesigned The Golden Cockerel for Colonel W. de Basil's 1937 revival. The new sets and costumes closely followed her earlier designs, as shown in the 1914 drawing of a peasant woman. The costume was influenced by the sarafan, a traditional Russian pinafore dress and blouse. The large flower patterns on the skirt echoed the enormous blossoms on the trees of the set. With their rosy daubed cheeks and colourful dresses, the dancers looked like Russian toys brought to life.