About this artwork
The Russian artist Léon Bakst was deeply influenced by the brilliant colors, simple outlines, and straightforward techniques used by Russian folk artists; which inspired the stage and costume designs Bakst created for The Ballet Russes performances in Paris in 1909-10 and Vienna in 1912-13.
This screen printed silk panel relates closely to designs Bakst devised as part of his only American commission, the 1922-23 conversion of the bowling alley of a private residence into a theater. Among Bakst’s fanciful motifs were colorful patterns applied to the theater’s walls. He was in the United States that year for an exhibition of his work in New York and Chicago, where he also lectured on textiles and costumes. Upon his return to Paris, Bakst apparently decided to reuse the theater motifs on lightweight silk fabrics intended for clothing. The Art Institute’s panel, one of these patterns, presents an engaging melange of Russian folk-art motifs and Art Deco patterns.
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Status
- On View, Gallery 272
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Department
- Textiles
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Artists
- Léon Bakst (Designer) , Robinson Silk Company (Producer)
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Title
- Dress Fabric, Panel (Dress Fabric)
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Places
- Baltimore (Object made for:), Maryland (Object made for:), Russia (Artist's nationality:), Paris (Object designed in:), New York (Object made in:)
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Dates
- Made 1924 , Designed 1922
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Medium
- Silk, twill weave; screenprinted
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Inscriptions
- Printed on selvedge, in pink on proper left side in a cursive signature-like print: "Léon Bakst".
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Dimensions
- 140 × 100.3 cm (55 1/8 × 39 1/2 in.); Repeat: 26.4 × 51.2 cm (10 3/8 × 20 1/4 in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of Robert Allerton
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Reference Number
- 1924.184
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.
