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LÈon Bakst (Lev Samoilovich Rosenberg), artist
Russian, 1866 - 1924
Costume Design for an Old Jew Holding the Head of Holofernes in the dramatic comedy Judith, 1922
graphite, watercolor amd silver paint on Arches laid paper
44.6 x 29.1 cm (sheet)
Theater and Dance Collection, gift of Mrs. Adolph B. Spreckels T&D1962.36

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Artist Biography: Born Lev Samoilovich Rosenberg. Student at the Academy of St. Petersburg. Began calling himself LÈon Bakst (mother*s maiden name), in the late 1890s. Established himself in Moscow and adhered to the Russian academic tradition, taking his subjects from popular life. However, little by little he began to stray from the traditional, profoundly influenced by modern French art. A proponent of the new style in Russia, he founded the group "Mir Iskousstva" ("Artistic World"), but soon left Moscow and St. Petersburg for Paris (1893). Played a considerable role during the years preceding World War I as a costume decorator and designer for the famous Russian ballets directed by Serge de Diaghileff. A bold colorist, possessing a heightened sense of an art in service to rhythm and subject to variations in lighting, Bakst realized a bold and pleasing fusion of the elements of Russian popular art and the values of modern French art, influenced notably by Aubrey Beardsley, as well as by Greek vase painting and the Fauvism of Henri Matisse. Established legal residence in Paris in 1912.

Related Keywords
Judith comedy dramatic in Holofernes of the Holding Jew Old an for Design Costume Spreckels B Adolph Mrs gift Asia Russia Drawing Entertainment Theater Religious Study Figure Fashion Dance Music Art paper laid Arches paint silver amd watercolor graphite left man bearded head hand right his sword hat tall caftan wearing figue male standing Léon Bakst Lev Samoilovich Rosenberg Bakst~ Russian 3328201308180023 A013522 T&D1962.36 AFGA