Almada Negreiros, a dança e os Ballets Russes

Abstract

The Ballets Russes (1909-1929) have represented a special moment of western modern art. Because of the World War I, the famous company directed by Serge Diaghilev (1872-1929) launched several tournées in the Iberian Peninsula and Lisbon was one of the group’s destinies. Its arrival and stay in the Portuguese capital caused the enthusiasm of young modern artists among whom the futurist artist José de Almada Negreiros (1893-1970), collaborator of the review Orpheu, who wrote at that occasion a "Ballets Russes Manifesto". This is probably the first and only manifesto of the 20^th century concerning the Ballets Russes. The present essay analyses the various aspects involved on the writing of the Manifesto, in particular the aesthetic dimensions of Futurism in Portugal as well as the art of dance in relation with other writings by Almada Negreiros.