'Fantaisie sur le costume moderne': Two female haute couture figures

Léon Bakst Russian, born present day Belarus
1910
Not on view
As much as Bakst designs for the Ballets Russes display his wild imagination, much of it was informed by his close study of people and nature. A note on the bottom of this fashion study, written by Met curator A. Hyatt Mayor, explains that the artist Erté, another Russian designer working in Paris, recognized the costume on the left as an ensemble designed by the French fashion designer Paul Poiret. Bakst likely recorded the costumes to serve as potential inspiration for future costume designs.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: 'Fantaisie sur le costume moderne': Two female haute couture figures
  • Artist: Léon Bakst (Russian (born present day Belarus), Hrodna (Grodno) 1866–1924 Paris)
  • Date: 1910
  • Medium: Graphite, brush and watercolor and bodycolor
  • Dimensions: 12 3/4 x 9 3/4 in. (32.4 x 24.8 cm)
  • Classifications: Drawings, Ornament & Architecture
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1961
  • Object Number: 61.557.5
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.