Mikhail Baryshnikov, born on January 27, 1948, in Riga, is widely regarded as one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century. He studied at the Riga Choreographic School, and then at the Leningrad Choreographic School under the guidance of teacher Alexander Pushkin. In 1967, he joined the Kirov Opera and Ballet Theatre (now Mariinsky Theatre). Having made his debut as Albert in “Giselle”, Baryshnikov soon became the leading dancer of the theatre. The artist participated in the ballets: “Don Quixote”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Hamlet”, “Creation of the World”. His landmark performance in “Vestris”, choreographed for him by Leonid Jacobson, earned him the gold medal at the 1973 First Moscow International Ballet Competition. Baryshnikov’s international career began in 1970. In 1974, during the Bolshoi Theatre tour, he decided to remain in Canada. That same year, he became a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), later serving as its artistic director (1980–1989). A pivotal chapter was Baryshnikov’s collaboration with George Balanchine at New York City Ballet (1978–1979). During this period the artist developed his own signature style — a fusion of classical virtuosity and modernist expression. In 1990–2004, Mikhail Baryshnikov led the White Oak Dance Project, which he founded together with choreographer Mark Morris. In 2005 he launched the Baryshnikov Arts Center, a platform for contemporary dance. Beyond ballet, Baryshnikov is also known as an actor (in 1977 he was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his role in “The Turning Point”), photographer, and producer. Bakhrushin Theatre Museum online collection presents photographs of Mikhail Baryshnikov in roles in the Kirov Theatre performances and other materials.