Costume Design for 'Scheherazade' 1910

Léon Bakst made this costume design for ‘Scheherazade’ in the early 20th century, probably using watercolor and pencil. There's a real sense of Bakst feeling his way through the image, with tentative lines and subtle color washes. I love the way the pink of the dancer’s voluminous pants bleeds into the paper, creating this hazy, dreamlike effect. The texture looks almost like skin, with these tiny, scattered marks that give it a fleshy, organic quality. Look closely, and you’ll see how each little diamond or dot is unique. They’re not stamped or printed; they’re hand-placed, imperfect, and full of life. It’s this kind of attention to detail that makes the whole image come alive. This costume design is reminiscent of the work of Erté, another artist known for his opulent and theatrical designs. Like Erté, Bakst embraced fantasy and escapism, creating a world of beauty and desire. And like all great art, it invites us to look, to linger, and to dream.