These works are original designs for the Brazilian ballet Yara, which was performed by the Original Ballet Russe in the Teatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro in August 1946. The music was composed by Francisco Mignone set to a story by Guilherme de Almeida. The Czech dancer Vania Psota choreographed the work and Candido Portinari was commissioned to execute the scene and costume designs.
The story of the ballet is derived from Brazilian mythology and concerns the dreaded drought of northeastern Brazil. Yara, the spirit of water, first enamored with the moon, becames ensnared by the sun's charms and thus the dry season sets in. Impoverished farmers leave their homes while others, still hopeful, pray for help. In the end Yara re-appears and pours forth water to those whose faith stayed whole.

Please see lots 183-189 for additional illustrations of this set.