Costume Study for Nijinsky in his Role in La Péri
Léon Bakst (Russian, 1866–1924)
Watercolor
Artist Biography
Technical Glossary
Léon Bakst (Russian, 1866–1924)
Watercolor
26 5/8 x 19 1/4 in. (67.6 x 48.9 cm)
Gift of Sir Joseph Duveen, 1922 (22.226.1)
Léon Bakst was already an experienced portraitist, illustrator, and set designer in 1909 when he joined with Serge Diaghilev to found the Ballets Russes. This design for a costume to be worn by the renowned male dancer Vaslav Nijinsky (1890–1950) demonstrates Bakst's involvement with Symbolism and Art Nouveau, as well as his dramatic use of color and sensuous line.
