Leon Bakst

Work by Léon Bakst - early 20th-century wartime propaganda Avant-garde

Circa 1915

Created in 1898 as the very first supplement to Les Maîtres de l’Affiche, this intimate lithograph distills Jules Chéret’s vision of Belle Époque Paris into a single, buoyant figure....

This 1917 original wartime propaganda poster, designed by Albert Besnard, was created to promote the Third National Defense Loan (3e Emprunt de la Défense Nationale) in France during World War I. As the war raged on, France needed financial support from its citizens to sustain military efforts, and posters like this played a crucial role in mobilizing the public to contribute to the war effort. The composition is rich with symbolism and emotion. At the forefront, a serene yet resolute woman, draped in blue and white, holds an innocent child while extending an olive branch—a universal sign of peace. Behind her, a winged allegorical figure of Victory, clad in dramatic red robes, brandishes a sword and urges forward action. This juxtaposition between maternal protection and military force highlights the dual message of the poster: peace can only be achieved through victory. The bold red typography reads: "SOUSCRIVEZ POUR HÂTER LA PAIX PAR LA VICTOIRE" ("Subscribe to hasten peace through victory"), emphasizing the patriotic duty of citizens to invest in war bonds as a means of securing France’s triumph and eventual peace. Created in the late phase of World War I, this poster reflects France’s determination and resilience. The use of dynamic lines, rich colors, and classical figures is characteristic of Besnard’s artistic style, blending Academic and Symbolist influences. This piece is not only a historical artifact but also a powerful example of propaganda art...

In the heart of 19th-century Paris, the art scene flourished with an unparalleled vibrancy, attracting connoisseurs and creators from around the globe. One pivotal event that capture...

The 1890 original poster by Eugène Grasset for the Théâtre National de l'Odéon is a prime example of the elegant and refined design that defined the French Belle Époque period. This ...

Dangerous Jokes is an Original Lithograph realized by Willette (Adolphe Léon). Good condition on a yellowed paper. Hand signed with blue pencil on the lower left corner. Adolphe ...

Three iconic Leon Bakst costume designs for Le Dieu Bleu ( The Blue God ) a ballet choreographed by Michel Fokine and written by Cocteau. The ballet premiered in Paris in 1912. It tells the story of a girl who tries to dissuade her fiancé from becoming a priest and is thereafter tormented by demons; but she is eventually saved by the Blue God, a part performed by Vaslaw Nijinsky, the greatest male dancer of his time. Fokine’s choreography and Bakst’s costumes drew upon Siamese dance and Hindu sculpture. These three prints are vintage reproductions quite unlike the reproductions of today. They each have the look of original watercolors and are backed on heavy grey rag paper with a hand painted gold border. Properly framed they will definitely look like the original drawing. The size of the actual prints varies slightly but the background paper size is consistently 10.5 x 15.5. Born in Russia in 1866, Léon Bakst belonged to a young generation of European artists who rebelled against 19th-century stage realism, sparking a revolution in theatre design. His fame lay in the sets and costumes he designed for Serge Diaghilev’s (1872 – 1929) legendary dance company the Ballets Russes, and his huge pageant spectaculars for the dancer and patron of the performing arts, Ida Rubinstein...

Risks and Temptations is an Original Lithograph realized by Willette (Adolphe Léon). Good condition on a yellowed paper. Hand signed with blue pencil on the lower left corner. Ad...

Jules Chéret Folies-Bergère (L'Arc-en-Ciel), 1895 Stone ithograph Printed signature in the plate On vellum Size 39 x 29 cm (c. 15.3 x 11.4") INFORMATION : Plate 21 of "Les Maîtres...