- 55
Léon Bakst
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
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Description
- Léon Bakst
- Scenery of the Barbizon Palace from Aladin ou La Lampe Merveilleuse
- signed in Latin l.r.
- gouache over pencil heightened with gold and silver on paper laid on card
- 49 by 67cm, 19 1/4 by 26 1/2 in.
Provenance
The family of the artist
Sotheby Parke-Bernet New York, Costume and Décor Designs, Drawings, Photographs and Books, 6 December 1979, lot 34
Sotheby Parke-Bernet New York, Costume and Décor Designs, Drawings, Photographs and Books, 6 December 1979, lot 34
Literature
L.Réau et al, The Inedited Works of Bakst, New York: Brentano's, 1927, pl.IX, Scenery of the Barbizon Palace
Catalogue Note
Aladin ou La Lampe Merveilleuse was a ballet revue first performed in Paris in 1919. The production transposed the tale of Aladdin to contemporary Paris, complete with Bolshevik plots. Barbizon is the rich factory owner who submits without fuss to the demands of his striking workers, mobilised by the Parisian banker Aladdin with the help of the Bolsheviks. Barbizon is rewarded by the discovery of Aladdin's lamp and becomes rich all over again before finding eternal happiness as a plumber.
Ironically, the first night of the production had to be postponed due to a strike by the tailors and embroiderers.
Ironically, the first night of the production had to be postponed due to a strike by the tailors and embroiderers.