Man and a woman dancing. This famous husband-wife team, for almost forty years until retirement in 1953, toured Europe continuously and South America frequently in what Sakharoff called 'abstract mime.' Despite the description, the two selected intensely dramatic, emotional themes for their often exotic, richly-costumed dances. The use of color, line and especially white space is extraordinary in its impact and lyricism George Barbier was a painter and illustrator whose first love was the theater in general and dance in particular. His interpretation of the Sakharoffs, serene and seemingly suspended in motion, is one of the most superb poster designs ever created. The use of color, line and especially of white space is extraordinary in its impact and lyricism. It is strong, tense and, above all, sure.