Iconic Designs


Photograph

Léon Bakst (1866-1924). Papillons, Costume design, 1912. Watercolor and pencil. Howard D. Rothschild Collection. pf MS Thr 414.4 (17). Bequest, 1989.


 Photograph

Léon Bakst (1866-1924). Papillons, Costume design, 1911. Watercolor and pencil. Howard D. Rothschild Collection. pf MS Thr 414.4 (18). Bequest, 1989.


 Photograph

Léon Bakst (1866-1924). Papillons, Costume design, not dated. Pencil and gouache. Stravinsky-Diaghilev Foundation Collection. pf MS Thr 495 (262). Gift of Parmenia Migel Ekstrom, 1990.

 Photograph

Léon Bakst (1866-1924). Papillons, Costume design, not dated. Pencil and gouache. Stravinsky-Diaghilev Foundation Collection. pf MS Thr 495 (263). Gift of Parmenia Migel Ekstrom, 1990.

Papillons

Originally premiered at the Maryinsky Theater, St. Petersburg, in 1912, Papillons was revived for the Ballets Russes in 1914 when Fokine returned to the company for one year, following the dismissal of Nijinsky. 

The different sizes of these two pairs of designs indicate that they probably come from two separate productions. The smaller pair dates from the original pro­duc­tion in 1912. One of these (the blue dress) is identified as having been designed for Matilda Kschessinska. The other pair is not dated, but is presumed to be for a revival. (It has also been suggested that the larger designs could be later copies or even forgeries.)