Carnaval (Schumann) by L.Bakst 07, 1915

Bakst, léon (1866-1924) costume design for the robert schumann ballet “carnaval”, signed, inscribed “carnaval de schoumann/“eusebius”/miassine” [sic] and dated 1915. Pencil and watercolour on paper, 29 by 21. 5 cm (image size). 10,000-15,000 gbp the present lot is a costume design for léonide massine as eusebius in the pantomime-ballet carnaval set to robert schumann’s eponymous series of short piano pieces. The 1915 performance of the ballet, with set and costume designs by bakst, choreography by michel fokine and with massine as the principal dancer, was part of a charity event organised by sergei diaghilev’s the ballet russes in geneva on 20 december. Provenance: collection of david vyvyan-robinson, uk (inscription on the reverse). Acquired from the above by the previous owner. Collection of julian barran ltd, london. Exhibited: silver age. Russian art in vienna around 1900, the belvedere, vienna, 27 june–28 september 2014. Literature: exhibition catalogue, silver age. Russian art in vienna around 1900, vienna, belvedere, 2014, p. 208, pl. 87, illustrated and listed. Date: 1915.