LEON BAKST Costume Design for a Eunuch, 1987

This original poster features Léon Bakst's costume design for a eunuch in the ballet Schéhérazade, showcased in Sotheby's Ballet and Theater Material collection. Schéhérazade, first performed in Paris in 1910 by Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, was renowned for its opulent and exotic designs. Bakst's illustration portrays a dark-skinned male figure adorned in an oriental ensemble with bell sleeves, a wide belt, and baggy 'harem' pants, all embellished with vibrant colors and intricate patterns. The character dons a tall red hat with golden beads and holds a curved knife, reflecting the rich orientalism that characterized the production.