Alexander Benois was a Russian painter, graphic artist, theatrical designer, stage director, art historian, and art critic, and one of the founders of the World of Art movement (“Mir Iskusstva”). He was born into the family of architect Nikolai Benois. In 1894, he graduated from the Faculty of Law at St. Petersburg University, but devoted himself to art. From childhood, he was passionate about music. He was not only a painter and graphic artist, but also an outstanding art theorist and music critic. Together with Serge Diaghilev, he founded the World of Art (“Mir Iskusstva”) association and magazine. In 1900, he made his debut as a theatrical designer. From 1908, he collaborated with Serge Diaghilev, designing productions for the “Russian Seasons” in Paris (“Boris Godunov”, “Petrushka”, “The Nightingale”, and others). He was the author of the scenario for the ballet “The Pavilion of Armida” (1907) and the librettist of the ballet “Petrushka” (1911). From 1926, he lived in France and worked in major European theatres, creating stage designs for productions such as “The Golden Cockerel” (Paris), “Eugene Onegin” (Milan), and others. The Bakhrushin Theatre Museum’s collection contains a large number of costume designs and scenery sketches for various productions, actual costumes, posters, and other materials related to the theatrical work of Alexander Benois.