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Lot Essay
Bakst's costume and set designs for the ballet The Sleeping Princess mark the culmination of his work on this theme and the Romantic period in his designs. Based on the story 'La Belle au Bois Dormant' by Charles Perrault, and with music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, this popular ballet initially choreographed and produced by Marius Petipa and later by Anna Pavlova had a thirty-year history on the Russian stage.
The London première was performed by Diaghilev's Ballet Russes at the Alhambra Theatre in 1921. Over a six-week preparation period, Bakst produced five sets, three hundred costumes and numerous props. His sets and costumes, which reflect the two contrasting epochs of Louis XIV and Louis XV, were based largely on 17th Century and 18th Century theatrical designs by such artists as Jean Berain, Jean-Baptiste Martin, Louis Boquet and the Bibienas.
The London première was performed by Diaghilev's Ballet Russes at the Alhambra Theatre in 1921. Over a six-week preparation period, Bakst produced five sets, three hundred costumes and numerous props. His sets and costumes, which reflect the two contrasting epochs of Louis XIV and Louis XV, were based largely on 17th Century and 18th Century theatrical designs by such artists as Jean Berain, Jean-Baptiste Martin, Louis Boquet and the Bibienas.