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.