Page of a sketch book showing sketches by Valentine Gross made in Théâtre de l'Opéra and Théâtre du Châtelet during rehearsal or performance depicting Karsavina in Firebird, Diaghilev Ballets Russes, c 1910.

The title role of the Firebird choreographed by Mikhail Fokine to Igor Stavinsky's score was created by Tamara Karsavina in Paris in 1910. These drawing give an indication of the choreography. As Karsavina noted ‘Two basic steps, grand jetés and pas de bourrées form the main fabric of the firebird’s part. Out f these Fokine worked one of his richest patterns by varying their form and by stressing the possibilities of each. Thus the illusion of flight, of fluttering, of struggling upwards of the captive bird are all expresessed in steps of one denomination: jetes.' Richard Buckle in Nijinsky on Stage (1971) pp.50-51 describes the three images. 'In the first, the bird of fire is seen in the opening solo dance...darting flame-like through the darkness...In the second and third, standing and kneeling, she clasps herself tremulously at the approach of Prince Ivan.'

Valentine Gross (1887 – 1968) studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris and was still a student when the Russian dancers first performed in Paris. She became a ballet enthusiast, illustrator, researcher and painter. Valentine Gross witnessed annual seasons of Diaghilev Ballets Russes in Paris and made preminary sketches during performances and rehearsals between 1909 and 1914 capturing te essence of the ballets. She would then work up the images into pastels which she displayed in theatre foyers and sold to Comoedia Illustré. Gross was married to the designer Jean Hugo 1919 (they later divorced) and it was a result of Richard Buckle’s friendship with Hugo that they were acquired by the V&A.

The sketches are part of the Valentine Gross Archive (THM/165), held by the V&A Department of Theatre and Performance. Valentine Gross Archive contains research material and artwork, including sketches, studies, drawings, pastels and illustrations. Only the artwork materials have been catalogued with museum numbers and given item level descriptions found in the Explore the Collections webpage.