Items Similar to Work by Léon Bakst - early 20th-century wartime propaganda Avant-garde
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8
Leon BakstWork by Léon Bakst - early 20th-century wartime propaganda Avant-gardeCirca 1915
Circa 1915
About the Item
This striking work by Léon Bakst, titled “Le grand peintre russe nous promet pour bientôt…” (“The great Russian painter promises us soon…”), vividly captures the spirit of early 20th-century wartime propaganda through the lens of avant-garde art. Known for his influential designs for the Ballets Russes, Bakst brings his dynamic, theatrical style to this political illustration, which portrays a bold leap from the Carpathian Mountains to Berlin, symbolizing a powerful advance into German territory.
Bakst’s image merges patriotic optimism with artistic expression, featuring a dancer in a vibrant red costume making an impossibly long leap across an exaggerated landscape. His body stretches across the expanse of mountains and fields, a striking symbol of movement and power. The vibrant red, an unmistakable focal point, evokes courage, energy, and determination, contrasting with the more subdued figures of the German and Austrian troops below, depicted with a sense of shock and vulnerability. This figure’s fluid, almost acrobatic motion is distinctly reminiscent of the Ballets Russes, known for innovative and expressive choreography—a cultural bridge between Bakst’s art and Russia’s wartime ambitions.
The text at the top translates roughly as, “The great Russian painter, Léon Bakst, promises us soon: ‘From the Carpathians to Berlin, a leap in the style of the Ballets Russes, to the great amazement of these German and Austrian dogs.’” This line reinforces the bold optimism of the artwork, portraying German and Austrian forces in derogatory terms to rally French or Russian sentiment. During World War I, such depictions were not uncommon, as artists used caricature and national symbols to bolster morale and sway public opinion.
The illustration is typical of Bakst’s unique fusion of fine art and theatricality. His background in costume and set design for the Ballets Russes is evident in the highly stylized approach, with a strong sense of movement and drama that extends beyond typical propaganda illustrations. Bakst, celebrated for his vibrant and dramatic visuals, applies similar techniques here, translating his visionary stage design into a politically charged visual commentary. His ability to evoke both elegance and intensity makes this piece an evocative example of art as a tool of wartime communication.
Though primarily known as a designer and painter, Bakst’s venture into political artwork such as this demonstrates the reach and versatility of his talents. The piece stands as a testament to the era's fusion of cultural and political currents, illustrating how artists contributed to the wartime atmosphere by mobilizing their skills in service of national sentiment. Today, this work remains a compelling historical artifact, blending art and politics in a style uniquely Bakst's own.
Original Poster
War 14-18 - Political
Karpaths in Berlin, a leap in the style of the Russian ballets, to the great stupor of these dogs of Germans and Austrians
- Creator:Leon Bakst (1866 - 1924, Russian)
- Creation Year:Circa 1915
- Dimensions:Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)Width: 21.26 in (54 cm)
- Medium:
- Period:
- Condition:Good condition, a trace of fold, on linen.
- Gallery Location:PARIS, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1792215362822
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2021
1stDibs seller since 2022
151 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: PARIS, France
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View All1962 poster Morocco via the swift vessels of the Paquet Navigation Company
By Roger Chapelet
Located in PARIS, FR
Original 1962 poster by Roger Chapelet titled "Le Maroc par les paquebots rapides de la compagnie de navigation Paquet" transports viewers to the exotic allure of Morocco via the swi...
Category
1960s Prints and Multiples
Materials
Linen, Paper, Lithograph
Original poster of the XIth International Exhibition of Surrealism
By André Breton
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful poster of the XIth International Exhibition of Surrealism, presented in December 1965 at the galerie de l'Œil in Paris.
André Robert Breton ( 1896 - 1966 ) was a French writer and poet. He is best known as the co-founder, leader and principal theorist of Surrealism. His writings include the first Manifesto of Surrealism of 1924, in which he defined Surrealism as "pure psychic automatism".
Alongside his role as leader of the Surrealist movement, he authored such famous books as Nadja and L'Amour fou. These activities, combined with his critical and theoretical work on writing and the visual arts, made André Breton...
Category
1960s Surrealist Prints and Multiples
Materials
Paper, Linen, Lithograph
John Hassall A night out Circa 1900 Original Poster Theatre United Kingdom
By John Hassall
Located in PARIS, FR
Nice poster of the beginning of the century for the Vaudeville theater, entitled A night out and printed by David Allen & sons in London.
John Hassall ( 1...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Prints and Multiples
Materials
Paper, Linen, Lithograph
Illustrated Map of Madagascar by D. J. Allonsius 1953 Original Poster Africa
Located in PARIS, FR
Nice illustrated Map of Madagascar by D. J. Allonsius.
This original poster was printed by Dufrénoy in Paris in 1953
Category
1950s Prints and Multiples
Materials
Paper, Linen, Lithograph
Long live the Soviet Fleet Original Poster 1947 Military Communist Navy
Located in PARIS, FR
A very nice Soviet poster from 1947, depicting the grandeur of the Soviet Navy fleet.
The Soviet Navy (Russian: Военно-морской флот СССР, Voyenno-morskoy flot SSSR, literally 'Naval Military Forces of the USSR') represents the war navy...
Category
1940s Prints and Multiples
Materials
Paper, Linen, Lithograph
Aviation Populaire by Georges Villa 1936 Original Poster - Art Deco
By Georges Villa
Located in PARIS, FR
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a... very large teenage boy appearing out of the clouds? Villa created this powerful image to encourage young people to practice light aviation—an ini...
Category
1930s Art Deco Prints and Multiples
Materials
Paper, Linen, Lithograph
You May Also Like
Marching on a Butterbur Leaf
By Yoshitomo Nara
Located in Washington , DC, DC
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Prints and Multiples
Materials
Paper, Linen, Lithograph
$1,480 Sale Price
73% Off
Menton by Constantin 1960 Vintage French TRAVEL POSTER by Terechkovitch
By Constantin Terechkovitch
Located in London, GB
Menton by Constantin 1960 vintage French TRAVEL POSTER
By Terechkovitch
Georges Terechkovitch (1908-1993) was a French artist of Russi...
Category
1960s Contemporary Figurative Prints
Materials
Linen, Lithograph
100 Affiches Pablo Picasso Stone Lithograph Pablo Picasso
By Pablo Picasso
Located in London, GB
100 Affiches Pablo Picasso Lithograph Poster
Pablo Picasso was a Spanish painter, sculptor, and co-founder of the Cubist movement, which revolutionized European painting and sculptu...
Category
1960s Contemporary Figurative Prints
Materials
Lithograph, Linen
Bally By Bernard Villemot
By Bernard Villemot
Located in London, GB
Bally
By Bernard Villemot
Bernard Villemot was a renowned French graphic artist famous for his vibrant, stylized advertising posters, particularly for brands like Bally, Perrier, and Orangina. His distinctive use of bold colors and elegant silhouettes made his work iconic in mid-20th-century commercial art.
1979
Offset lithograph, vintage poster mounted...
Category
1970s Contemporary Prints and Multiples
Materials
Linen, Lithograph
Beatles Yellow Submarine Pop Art Poster, Peter Max
By Peter Max
Located in London, GB
Beatles Yellow Submarine
Movie poster after Peter Max
Peter Max is a German-American artist known for his colourful, psychedelic pop art, whi...
Category
1960s Contemporary Portrait Prints
Materials
Lithograph, Linen
Deluxe Linen Wrapped Clamshell Box of Sandra Chevrier's Cages Book with Print
By Sandra Chevrier
Located in Draper, UT
Linen Wrapped Clamshell Box
Contains one copy of the hardcover book and one signed and numbered limited edition print in a linen wrapped folio
Only 200 c...
Category
2010s Prints and Multiples
Materials
Archival Paper, Linen
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Antique Linen Paper
Antique German Tools
Antique German Linens
Antique Prints Of Dogs
Patriotic Costume
Pip Carpenter
Point A La Ligne
Porsche 904
Porsche 914
Poster Cosulich
Poster Cska
Purple Hat Alex Katz
Qian Gang
R Dumont
Raoul Dufy Planetarium
Rauschenberg Cardbird
Rauschenberg Razorback
Raymond Pettibon Skate