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an old drawing of a man in a green and yellow outfitan old piece of paper with a drawing of a bird on it
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Hermitage Fine Art

155 - LEON BAKST (1866–1924)
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Estimate €15,000 - €20,000
Sale commission
Description
LEON BAKST (1866–1924) Costume design for Ida Rubinstein’s first independent production, ‘The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian’ (1911), 1912 signed and dated ‘L Bakst 1912’ (bottom right) watercolour, gouache, pencil and silver paint on paper 30.7 x 16.5 cm (visible area) This sketch relates to *The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian*, Ida Rubinstein’s first independent theatre production, in which she played the title role. This five-act mystery play, written by Gabriele D’Annunzio to music by Claude Debussy, featured choreography by Michel Fokine and sets and costumes by Léon Bakst. Premiered at the Théâtre du Châtelet on 22 May 1911, the production caused a scandal: the Archbishop of Paris dissuaded Catholics from attending, shocked that a woman of Jewish origin should portray a Christian saint. Inspired by the legend of Saint Sebastian, a martyr from the early days of Christianity who was persecuted under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, the work combined theatre, music and dance in a sumptuous spectacle, in the tradition of medieval religious mystery plays. The premiere sparked fierce controversy, particularly due to the choice of Rubinstein, a woman of Jewish origin, to portray a Christian saint. The Archbishop of Paris advised Catholics against attending. The production was both admired for its artistic ambition and criticised, reflecting the mixed reception that Rubinstein’s theatrical ventures generally received. At the buyer’s request, we shall be happy to provide a general report on the condition of the lot described above. However, as we are not professional conservators or restorers, we strongly advise potential buyers to carry out their own inspection or to consult a specialist of their choice to obtain a full assessment of the lot’s condition. Descriptions of items provided in the catalogue or by correspondence are for information purposes only and should not be regarded as a definitive assessment. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSION REGARDING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD ‘AS IS’, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE PUBLISHED IN THE CATALOGUE.
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About the sale From 19th-century art to modern art, Eastern European art, icons, Camille Pissarro, Jean-Baptiste Olive, Lynn Chadwick, Léon Bakst.
Auction location
Auction time 10/27/2026 at 2:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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