Costume design for the ballet Le Tricorne

Costume design for the ballet Le Tricorne by Pablo Picasso, created in 1920, is a significant example of the Spanish artist's profound and multi-faceted involvement in theatrical production during the interwar period. This particular piece originated as part of a deluxe portfolio, classified formally as an Illustrated Book, which featured thirty-two collotypes, thirty-one of which were enhanced with color. The technique utilized the highly detailed collotype process as the photographic base, subsequently layered with color through pochoir (stenciling), a precise hand-applied method characteristic of fine art prints produced during this era.

The design relates directly to the critically acclaimed ballet Le Tricorne (The Three-Cornered Hat), which premiered in 1919 with choreography by Léonide Massine and music by Manuel de Falla. Picasso, already a towering figure in modern art, was responsible for the entire visual direction, including the grand stage curtain, the scenery, and all costumes. These collaborations cemented his connection to the Ballets Russes and demonstrated his artistic range, shifting here toward a more robust, classically inspired draftsmanship well-suited for the dynamic movements of the stage.

As a document, the Illustrated Book served to permanently record and disseminate these temporary performance concepts. The inclusion of the work in this print format guaranteed the survival and broader appreciation of Picasso’s set and costume concepts, capturing the folkloric energy of the ballet’s inspiration-traditional Spanish narratives. The print demonstrates the exceptional coordination required to marry mechanical reproduction (collotype) with detailed hand-finishing (pochoir), ensuring vivid color and texture. This important record of theatrical design from 1920 is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).