A rare original poster/brochure designed by the avant-garde painter Mikhail Larionov and French sculptor Henri Laurens, advertising a grand costume ball given by the Russian artistic community of Paris in May 1925. Titled "Bal de la Grande Ourse, organisé par l'Union des Artistes Russes à Paris," the event took place at the Salle Bullier on May 8, 1925, from 10 pm to 6 am. Cf. Bolliger VI, 714 for the program booklet and 2 variant brochures. Printed on thin green newsprint; slight ghosting from another copy along the right edge of the recto. Folding creases and some light toning, but overall in very fine condition. 12.75 x 19.5 inches (32 x 48 cm). 

A short text on the recto explains the event (translated from the French): "This ball is the traditional ball of the Russian artists of Paris. [...] The Exposition des Arts Décoratifs does not offer an example of a Modern Ball in its program. It is to address this shortcoming that we are offering such a ball. This ball will therefore be a representative Modern Ball. The public will not, however, be required to come in rigorously "Modern" costumes. As at last year's 'Bal Banal,' one may wear any costume one likes, for whatever disguises are adopted, today's public cannot fail to be modern..." This is followed by a description of the ball's attractions, including a "café chantant" with Russian and other popular songs, a "pont des soupirs moderne" ("modern bridge of sighs") with an artificial moon, a "balcon poétique," and a buffet with drinks created by Larionov and [Serge] Fotinsky. The drinks, including "Boisson Moderne Citro-café" and "Citronade chimiquement pur," are illustrated with their chemical diagrams. At the foot of the page are printed the words and melody to four short Tchasstouchki, or humorous Russian folk songs. The verso, designed to be folded into four, features a bold graphic logo, the complete list of the Russian artists involved in the ball, and a diagram of the Grand Ourse, or Big Dipper, with an astronomical text.

The emigrant Russian artistic community in Montparnasse was very active starting in the years before WWI. Every year, in order to raise money for their union, they hosted a large costume ball which was one of the highlights of the Paris avant-garde season. The list of the places where one could purchase tickets reads like a "Who's Who" of the Paris Galleries of the era. In 1925, the ball was named the "Bal de la Grande Ourse" (the Big Dipper). The artists involved included avant-garde painter Mikhail Larionov, Ukrainian painter Serge Fotinsky, painter Marie Vassilieff, and Swedish dancer and choreographer Jean Börlin.

Artist Mikhail Larionov was a leader of the Russian avant-garde before World War I, but came to prominence in the West through his work for the Ballets Russes. He designed costumes and sets for "Le Soleil de Nuit" (1915), "Kikimora" (1916), "Contes Russes" (1917), "Chout" (1921) and "Le Renard" (1922).