- 60
Léon Bakst
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
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Description
- Léon Bakst
- Costume Design for Scheherazade
- signed in Latin and dated 1910 l.r. and titled t.r.
- watercolour heightened with gold over pencil on paper
- 29 by 22cm, 11 1/2 by 8 1/2 in.
Provenance
Acquired directly from the artist by Albert Gallatin, the grandfather of the present owner
By descent to the mother of the present owner in 1966
By descent to the mother of the present owner in 1966
Literature
A.Gallatin, The Pursuit of Happiness, New York, 1950, referenced on p.33
Condition
The sheet has been extended at the top and bottom edges and the corners of the extensions have been restored. The support has discoloured in line with age and there is a layer of surface dirt. Light foxing is visible throughout, predominantly on the reverse. The sheet is hinged to the mount in two places at the top edge. Held behind glass in a slim plaster moulded wooden frame. Unexamined out of frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The present lot is a design for a dancing girl from Sergei Diaghilev's production of Scheherazade which premiered in Paris in 1910.
As the original owner, Albert Gallatin, recalls in his memoirs, 'Bakst was holding his first exhibition in Paris in 1911 at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, but the Comtesse de Béarne had bought almost all the best drawings before I arrived, and I was only able to get one, a figure of St Sebastian. So I called on Bakst at his studio and bought from him two drawings for Scheherazade and the set design for Carnival. He was delighted when he sold them to me, exclaiming 'Now I am famous on two continents!''.