This exquisite porcelain composition, depicting the passionate kiss of Harlequin and Columbine in a dynamic ballet pose, was crafted by German sculptor and graphic artist Paul Scheurich for the renowned Meissen factory. The idea emerged after the 1910 premiere of the ballet «Le Carnaval» at Berlin’s Theatre des Westens, a sensation that captivated European audiences until 1914. Enchanted by the commedia dell’arte costumes, acrobatic steps, and romanticduets of Sergei Diaghilev’s «Ballets Russes», Scheurich created six sculptures inspired by «Le Carnaval», produced by Meissen in 1913. The «Harlequin and Columbine» piece, completed around 1914, became the pinnacle of this series. Modeled after «Ballets Russes» stars Vaslav Nijinsky as Harlequin and Tamara Karsavina as Columbine, Scheurich captured their graceful pointe work with remarkable precision. Drawing from Léon Bakst’s sketches, he portrayed their extravagant costumes blending Russian folklore and modernist elements, infusing the work with passion, humor, and lightness. The sculpture won the hearts of the Weimar Republic’s elite, symbolizing the harmony of traditional porcelain and avant-garde art. Originals are held in prestigious museums like London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, while Meissen produces limited replicas, preserving the ballet’s timeless magic.