Russian ballet, a unique and influential art form, began to establish itself in Russia by the late 17th century. It was under Peter the Great in the early 18th century that ballet was formally introduced, initially serving as a "standard of physical comportment" rather than mere entertainment, aiming to cultivate a new Russian society. Empress Anna further developed this tradition, founding Russia's first dedicated ballet school in 1738 under Jean-Baptiste Landé, which quickly attracted elite patronage and saw significant contributions from French masters like Charles Didelot. During the Imperial era, ballet became a state-supported institution, with dancers considered Imperial servants, though innovations like the "rayok" section made it accessible to broader audiences in the early 19th century. This distinctive legacy profoundly shaped global dance, most notably through Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in the early 20th century, which captivated international audiences, particularly in Paris, with its innovative choreography, technical precision, and dramatic storytelling, becoming a cornerstone of classical ballet worldwide.