LEON BAKST (1886-1924) Costume design for Ida Rubinstein in ‘Phaedra’

signed and dated ‘Bakst 22’ (lower right) gouache, pencil and gold paint on paper 47 x 29 cm Provenance: Art Nouveau et Art Déco Auction, Beaussant-Lefèvre, Paris, 01/06/2005, L.59 Bibliography: E. Bespalova, Bakst in Paris, Moscow, 2016 In 1909, the Italian writer and playwright Gabriele D'Annunzio presented his adaptation of the legendary Greek tragedy ‘Phaedra’. The costumes for the ballet were designed by Lev Bakst and presented to the public on June 8, 1923 at the Paris Opera. Ida Rubinstein, with whom Bakst has repeatedly worked, was the leading actress. This image depicts one of the first costume sketches for the leading role, made in 1922.