RIGHT: This late nineteenth-century woodcut shows the Russian fairground version of Petrushka. Note his exaggerated facial features and gaudy costume. In this scene, Petrushka bargains with a gypsy for a horse. The horse subsequently throws Petrushka, and in revenge he beats the gypsy to death, starting a whole string of violent conflicts that generally end with Petrushka being dragged off to hell.

BELOW: Boris Kustodiev (1878-1927) was known for his colorful depictions of Russian village life. This picture, entitled "Shrovetide" (1916) captures the gaiety of the Russian Mardi Gras period that is featured in the ballet Petrushka.