#22356 Leon Bakst

The drawing presents a figure in elaborate costume against a warm, ochre-toned background. The central focus is on a woman standing in profile, her body turned slightly towards the viewer. Her posture suggests both dignity and a restrained theatricality. She wears a long, flowing garment of a golden hue, heavily patterned with dark circular motifs that appear almost tribal or ritualistic. A wide black belt cinches the waist, emphasizing the elongated form of the dress. The sleeves are short and sheer, revealing bare arms. A headband adorns her head, partially obscuring her forehead and framing her face. Her features are stylized – large eyes, a straight nose, and full lips – contributing to an overall impression of idealized beauty rather than realistic portraiture.
Around the central figure, the artist has included several smaller sketches and notations. To the right, a detailed rendering of what appears to be a chair or stool is visible, its form simplified into geometric shapes with careful attention paid to the folds of fabric covering it. Scattered around the main composition are numerous small circular drawings, some containing concentric rings, which might represent decorative elements or further costume details. Handwritten text in an unfamiliar script surrounds these sketches; this suggests that the drawing functions as a design study accompanied by notes regarding materials, measurements, or other technical specifications.
The subtexts within the work hint at themes of theatricality and cultural appropriation. The elaborate costume evokes a sense of exoticism, potentially referencing ancient civilizations or imagined cultures. The stylized features of the figure suggest an attempt to create an archetypal representation rather than an individual portrait. The presence of the chair implies a staged setting, reinforcing the idea that this is a design for a performance. The notations and sketches surrounding the central image point towards a process of creation – a designer’s exploration of form, color, and texture in preparation for a larger work. Overall, the drawing conveys an atmosphere of carefully considered artistry, blending elements of costume design, ethnographic inspiration, and theatrical presentation.