Russian Pictures
Russian Pictures
Property from a Private Collection, United States
Boris Konstantinovich Bilinsky
Costume Designs for Prince Achmed in Shéhérazade and Snow Queen (Two Works)
Auction Closed
November 30, 02:40 PM GMT
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Property from a Private Collection, United States
Boris Konstantinovich Bilinsky
1900 - 1948
Costume Designs for Prince Achmed in Shéhérazade and Snow Queen (Two Works)
each signed in Latin l.l.; one further titled on the reverse
one gouache and ink heightened with gold and foil on blue card, the other gouache over pencil heightened with silver on grey card
Sheet: (i) 44.5 by 32cm, 17½ by 12½in.; (ii) 48 by 32.5cm, 19 by 13in.
Framed: (i) 64 by 54cm, 25¼ by 21¼in.; (ii) 70.5 by 55.5cm, 27¾ by 21¾in.
(2)
The authenticity of the present works has been confirmed by René Clémenti-Bilinsky, the artist's grandson. They will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné.
Sotheby's New York, Dance, Theatre, Opera, Music Hall and Film, 21 November 1984, lot 206A (Costume Design for Snow Queen)
Perhaps most widely known as the designer of the poster and publicity materials for Fritz Lang's iconic science fiction film Metropolis (1927), Russian-born Boris Konstantinovich Bilinsky was also widely celebrated for his costume and set designs for both film and stage.
As the chief costume designer for Alexandre Volkoff’s 1928 film Shéhérazade based on Arabian Nights or One Thousand and One Nights, Bilinsky mobilised cutting-edge techniques in costume creation and special effects available to him for a film of immense production value. Shéhérazade was one of the most lavish films made towards the end of the silent film era. The drawing offered in the sale of the costume for Prince Achmed is a vivid example of the decorative grandeur displayed in the film.