Barbier (1882-1932) was a painter and illustrator who designed sets and costumes for the theater. He did a lot of work for magazines but few posters. This was possibly his first. Svoboda (1892-1948) was born in Moscow and danced with the Bolshoi Ballet and did over 50 films. He danced in London and Paris before landing in the USA as a, greatly in demand, dance instructor. Little is known about his dance partner.