The musical opus of the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky is one of the most important in the music of the 20th century. Although innovation, which manifests itself in almost every segment of the treatment of musical material, is primarily associated with the Russian phase of his composition, Stravinsky's opus as a whole testifies to exceptional compositional creativity and inexhaustible inspiration that resulted in several all-time masterpieces. In addition to innovations, the composer also reinterpreted musical history in his works in a unique way, so to speak, from the Renaissance to the dodecaphony, achieving a special kind of musical synthesis. The first part of the paper is about Igor Stravinsky in general, his composing phases and musical language, while the second part presents the main features of the ballet Petrushka with an emphasis on rhythmic elements. It is through consideration of the rhythmic component that links with the ballet The Rite of Spring will be found, and the features that deservedly placed Igor Stravinsky in the position of one of the most important composers of music of the 20th century will be determined.