Bakst - Pair of Costume Designs

Bakst - Pair of Costume Designs
This beautiful mounted color lithograph by Leon Bakst as part of Andre Levinson's L'Oeuvre pour La Belle au bois dormant or Sleeping Beauty. The work was published in Paris by M. de Brunoff in 1922. It was part of a limited edition, numbered 217 of 500, and was signed by both Bakst and the publisher. The work also featured a portrait of Bakst that was done by Pablo Picasso.

Bakst described the work as a "magnifique edition pleine de bon gout." The costumes were designed for Diaghilev's revival of Tchaikovsky's ballet in London in 1921 at the Alhambra Theatre. The play was based on the Brothers Grimm version of Charles Perrault's tale of Sleeping Beauty.

"Born in Russia in 1866, Leon Bakst belonged to that young generation of European artists who rebelled against 19th century stage realism, which had become pedantic and literal, without imagination or theatricality. There were no specialist trained theater designers, so painters like Leon Bakst turned their painting skills to theater design. Bakst's fame lay in the ballets he designed for the Diaghilev Ballets Russes, and huge pageant spectaculars for dancer and patron, Ida Rubinstein. He died in 1924 but after nearly 100 years his magic is as potent as ever, rediscovered by every generation. His influence was such that people who have never heard his name now see the world in a different way." (Victoria & Albert Museum)

The work is in very good to excellent condition. There may be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
Full Paper Measures ~ 11 1/2" by 15 3/8"