09-20-201309-20-2013
Skinner Auctions
Skinner AuctionsBoston MA
2673BBoston
September 20, 2013 10:00 AMCalender
308

Léon Bakst (Russian, 1866-1924) Costume Design for Papillons: Une Dame

Sell one like this
$18,000$15,000
Auction: American & European Works of Art - 2673BLocation: BostonDate / Time: September 20, 2013 10:00AM

Description:

Léon Bakst (Russian, 1866-1924)

Costume Design for Papillons: Une Dame
Signed and dated "Bakst/1912" c.r., inscribed "Papillons" u.r., identified on
copies of detatched exhibition labels (see below).
Pencil and gouache on laid paper, 10 5/8 x 8 1/8 in. (27.0 x 20.6 cm),framed.
Condition: Surface imperfections in area of the skirt, acid burn, scattered pinpoint foxing, tape-hinged to the backing mat at the top edge of the reverse.

Provenance: Through the collection of Lady Eleanor Campbell-Orde, London.

Literature: Illustrated in the Souvenir catalog, Serge de Diaghileff's Ballet Russe, Metropolitan Ballet Company, Inc., New York, 1916 (unpaginated); Ballets Russes de Diaghilew, 1909 à 1929, Exposition Organisée par Serge Lifar, Avril-Mai 1939 (Paris: Musée des arts décoratifs, 1939),no. 38, p. 14.

Exhibitions: Ballets Russes de Diaghilew, 1909 à 1929, Exposition Organisée par Serge Lifar, Avril-Mai 1939, Musée des arts décoratifs, Pavillion de Marsan, Palais du Louvre, no. 38. ; The Diaghilev Exhibition from the Edinburgh Festival, 1954, catalog edited by Richard Buckle, Edinburgh and London (Forbes House),Gallery IV, cat. no. 116, p. 17.

N.B. Papillons was a pantomime ballet in one act with libretto and choreography by Michel Fokine, set to music by Robert Schumann, with sets by Mstislav Dobujinsky and costumes by Léon Bakst.

The lot is accompanied by a letter dated 11th September, 1954, from Dick (Richard Buckle, exhibition organizer and ballet critic for The Observer, London) to Eleanor (Lady Eleanor Campbell-Orde),regarding her loan to the Diaghilev exhibition in Edinburgh being extended to a London venue.
Estimate $3,000-5,000

Sheet size is as noted in catalogue; mat urn; tape hinged to window mat; no additional condition issues to report.


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Keywords

London, Eleanor Campbell-Orde, Serge Lifar, Serge de Diaghileff, Metropolitan Ballet Company Inc., Paris, Richard Buckle, the Edinburgh Festival, Robert Schumann, Michel Fokine