Drawing young divinity Narcisse costume, ballet Diaghilev 1911

Léon Bakst crafted this costume design for Diaghilev's ballet in 1911. The figure, a young divinity, is adorned with the horns of a ram, a symbol deeply rooted in ancient cults of fertility and power. These horns evoke images of Pan from Greek antiquity, a god of the wild, whose animalistic features embody untamed nature and primal instincts. The ram's horn, a recurring motif, surfaces in the headdresses of ancient deities, resonating through time. Consider its presence in depictions of Ammon in Egyptian art, where it symbolized virility and divine authority. The ram's horn is not static; its meaning evolves. In some cultures, it signifies aggression; in others, protection. This duality reflects our subconscious grappling with instinct and reason, a visual representation of the psyche's labyrinth. The ballet costume captures our collective memory, engaging with ancient archetypes on a primal level. The image retains its potency, a testament to the enduring power of symbols.