Adolescent in ‘Schéhérazade’ 1910 - 1916

This rendering of an adolescent in ‘Schéhérazade’ was made by Léon Bakst, probably using watercolor and pencil. I can imagine Bakst making this, layering colors, finding the right hue for the costume. There’s something both precise and playful about it. What I mean is, it looks like the kind of drawing where you start with some basic shapes, maybe a quick sketch of a body, and then you just let the colors and patterns take over, almost like they have a mind of their own. I bet Bakst wasn’t trying to make it perfect, just letting the materials lead him. Think about that bright blue hat, those decorative green shoes, the red and gold patterned jacket—it’s like a conversation between the colors and the forms, each influencing the other, creating a sense of movement and energy that feels so alive. It's an artist’s ongoing experiment that helps other artists see new possibilities.