LEON BAKST
PAINTER, COSTUME DESIGNER, SET DESIGNER OF THE BALLETS RUSSES
Collection Constantinowitz
Our mother and Leon Bakst's niece, Marie Constantinowitz, had a passion for her uncle's work. She immediately recognized his great talent. She took care of all his paintings which are now gathered in our collection. She also kept the moving letters exchanged by our Russian and French relatives. Leon Bakst was a real pioneer in terms of stage work for which he created harmonious costumes and settings. He was Diaghilev's favorite set designer. He contribuetd to the great success of Schéhérazade at Opéra Garnier in 1910. He was described as a master of the line, a musician of colours. He managed to instil a rare intensity to performances and to enhance the innate feeling for movement that underlies any choreographic work. He specialized in dance and was the most talented of all of Diaghilev's ballets set designers. Nicolas and Pierre Constantinowitz