Iconic Designs


Photograph

Léon Bakst (1866-1924). Schéhérazade, Costume design for Chief Eunuch, 1922. Watercolor, pencil and silver paint. Howard D. Rothschild. Framed storage. MS Thr 414.4 (20). Bequest, 1989.

 Photograph

Léon Bakst (1866-1924). Schéhérazade, Costume design for The Blue Sultana, 1922. Watercolor, pencil and gold paint. Howard D. Rothschild. Framed storage. MS Thr 414.4 (221). Bequest, 1989.

Character portraits by Léon Bakst for the ballet Schéhérazade

These beautiful renderings are not costume designs, but rather they were made after the fact for exhibition. Bakst occasionally recreated his costume designs on commission, either to sell to collectors or for publication.(Interestingly, the Blue Sultana has occasionally been mis-identified as a male character, and given the name Blue Sultan. Several versions of this drawing exist, including one that differs chiefly in its coloring, titled the Red Sultana.)